3013: Still Playing It Safe? Why You Should Get Out of Your Comfort Zone by Nia Shanks

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[00:00:28] Wenn jemand Charles und Melanie gesagt hätte, dass sie nach ihrem Tinder Match gemeinsam einen Channel mit crazy Aufgaben starten, also wirklich crazy, fünf Tage auf einer einsamen Insel verbringen, eine Zipline an einem Gurt runterrasen, eine Million Views knacken, eine Wand mit Saugnöpfen hochklettern und Fallschirmspringen in Ägypten?

[00:00:50] Das hätten die beiden niemals geglaubt. Aber das ist das Ding mit Tinder. Es führt dich an Orte, die du nie erwartet hättest. Wohin es dich auch führt. It starts with a swipe. Tinder. This is Optimal Health Daily. Still playing it safe? While you should get out of your comfort zone. By Nia Shanks of niashanks.com. And I'm Dr. Neil, your very own host and narrator. Hey there, welcome back to Optimal Health Daily, where I read to you from some of the most popular health and fitness blogs out there.

[00:01:19] With permission from the websites, of course, and always with a bit of my commentary at the end. Alright, and with that, let's get right to today's post as we optimize your life. Still playing it safe? While you should get out of your comfort zone. By Nia Shanks of niashanks.com Do things that scare me. That's been my motto lately. In every area of my life, I'm doing more things that scare me.

[00:01:48] I don't mean exclusively in the generic, face your fears sense of the phrase, though that is part of it. But I'm striving to get outside my comfort zone in all areas. Discussing more real life stuff and revealing who I truly am above and beyond a health and fitness professional and writer? Yep, that's terrifying. I know doing so will open me up to criticism, even hatred. Saying this is me to the world is intimidating, because I'm well aware that not everyone will like me.

[00:02:18] Telling you what I've experienced and the lessons I've learned in my life makes me vulnerable. You see what I let you see. That's the great thing about the internet. I can choose what parts of my life you see. I can control who I appear to be. That's also the terrible thing. Sometimes, people show you what they want you to see, and not what's genuine and authentic. But I want you to see who I really am, authentically and unapologetically.

[00:02:47] I want to share my trials, tribulations, failures, and successes. I've had certain experiences that have taught me valuable lessons other people can relate to. I think sharing some of these real life experiences makes life richer and allows for deeper connections beyond writing about a great workout routine or fat loss nutrition tips. It's in the moments or opportunities of the things that scare us that we grow to our true potential and live life to the fullest.

[00:03:16] Stepping out of the comfort zone. I'm doing more things that scare me. Speak my mind respectfully when I disagree with someone, in an attempt to have a discussion, not an argument. I'm going to live the life I want and not care what strangers think. Do what's in line with my values, even if it's not popular. Try new activities I may suck at initially. This one can be tough because I'm competitive and a perfectionist.

[00:03:43] Continue turning down potential opportunities because they just don't feel right. Take a chance when failure is a distinct possibility. Challenge myself to do a difficult mountain bike trail that puts butterflies in my stomach. Sell our house and move, where we do not yet know. Write articles and record episodes of the podcasts that go beyond health and fitness. Knowing not everyone will like it, but do it anyway. Because I want to. And because some will enjoy and benefit from it.

[00:04:13] I'm going to write articles for this website that make me nervous to click the publish button. Episodes for the Nia Shanks show will be recorded that scare me to share with the world. I'm going to try new adventures and discover what wonderful things my body can do. I'll continue to spread the message that health and fitness is a tool to help you live a more awesome life. And that it shouldn't consume you. I'm going to open my mind to new thoughts, experiences, points of view, and do my best to live life to the fullest.

[00:04:42] I'm going to know why I believe what I believe and why I do what I do. I'm not going to let fear or the fear of failure hold me back. It's time to bust through the walls of comfort. Taking the first step. I invite you to join me to step outside your comfort zone. I'll be it safely. We can't grow otherwise. We can't discover new potential passions if we don't. We'll miss opportunities that could lead to wonderful memories.

[00:05:08] Daily, I remind myself that staying in my comfort zone may feel safe, comfortable, and familiar. But if I never push the boundaries, I may miss amazing opportunities, discover what I'm truly capable of doing and achieving, and experience life-changing events. This action, pushing the boundaries and intentionally wandering beyond the comfort zone, is what can uncover passion we didn't know was there.

[00:05:32] Too often, and I've been guilty of this, people wait for motivation or passion to drive their actions. But thankfully, I've discovered that more often than not, action must come first. Want to know what you're capable of? Want to uncover hidden passions and abilities? You must first act. Then, you may discover new passions. Say goodbye to the comfort zone, and take the first step forward. Explore. Take risks.

[00:06:00] Get the heck out of your comfort zone in as many ways as possible. Don't wait for an oh-no moment in life to start living it to the fullest. It's time to discover our potential and passions. And one terrific way to do that is to step outside our comfort zone. Take the first step. You just listened to the post titled, Still Playing It Safe? Why You Should Get Out of Your Comfort Zone, by Nia Shanks of niashanks.com.

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[00:07:56] So, get snackin' and get crackin' with the snack that packs a protein punch. Visit WonderfulPistachios.com to learn more. Dr. Neil here for my commentary. Something today's author, Nia Shank, said jumped out at me. Nia said that she's found that if you want to find what you're truly capable of, you can't wait for motivation to set in before you act. Instead, you just have to act. To use the old cliche from Nike, just do it.

[00:08:25] Take that first step forward. Because, after all, how will you know you like or dislike something unless you try it? In fact, taking action can actually boost our self-confidence. I talked about this in one of my recent commentaries. In that commentary, I mentioned an article I read by psychologist Ellen Hendrickson. When talking about ways to build our self-confidence, Dr. Hendrickson said,

[00:08:58] End quote, So again, don't wait. What's something that you've always wanted to try? Can you picture it? Okay, now go do it. All right, that'll do it for today. Thank you so much for listening. Thank you for being a subscriber or follower of the show. I hope you have a great rest of your day. And of course, I'll see you back here tomorrow, where your optimal life awaits.