My Bungee Jump - Stripped Bare
Some people have been heard to say: “Do something everyday, that scares you.” Why? and why the hell would I want to? I get enough scary moments in the day, dodging the idiot drivers who pull out without warning and the big black spider that suddenly scuttles from the shadows.
The idea of the comfort zone goes back to a classic experiment in psychology. Back in 1908, psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John D. Dodson, explained that a state of relative comfort created a steady level of performance. In order to maximise this performance, however, we need a state of relative anxiety ~ a time and space where our stress levels are slightly higher than normal.
This space is known as ‘Optimal Anxiety,’ and is discovered just outside of our comfort zone. Introducing too much anxiety and we're too stressed to maximise productivity and our performance tends to drop off sharply.
Ok, so bear with me ~ there is logic behind this madness.
When you push beyond your comfort level, you initiate the starting point for effective exertion that will begin to show results and develop growth within the muscle tissue and also have beneficial effects on the cardio-vascular system as the heart quickens its beat into a gentle jog.
Whether the growth is physical strength or stamina from working out in the gym or suddenly having to deal with the trauma of facing a chronic phobia, such as taking an elevator to the top floor.
Perhaps you knew that your morbid fear of confined spaces may be thoroughly stimulated and tested by getting into an enclosed, 4 x 4 stainless-steel cell for the duration of an assent to the 99th floor.
So why do it? You just took the elevator to the top floor!
Odd behaviour or reasoned logic?
Whatever your threshold level for discomfort, pushing yourself through it, will make you stronger and that’s a fact. I’m sure that we’re all familiar with this and been through this experience in many different situations and purposes, whether working or at leisure.
Yes, do you remember the very first time you got on the pole, when the club was heaving and you had to perform? I know I do and it stays with me as a reminder, that sometimes in life, you get those one-shot chances when it’s ‘now or never’.
I never forget my first time on a pole, when auditioning for regular work at a club which I really wanted to work in ~ and yes, it was scary, bloody scary but I got through it and started my professional debut doing what I love to do.
Perhaps it wasn't the pole that I feared so much but actually speaking to the customer and making engaging small talk, sounding calm and putting customers at their ease.
We all know where our own discomfort thresholds are and that if we push beyond it, we will experience the benefits of it, in many positive ways and you will ~
- be more productive.
- have an easier time dealing with unpredictable events and unexpected change.
- find it easier and more appealing to push your boundaries in future.
- gain more confidence.
- find it easier to learn, brain storm and your brain speed generally increases.
- not hesitate and miss out on approaching the BIG Spender in the club, because you were too comfortable sitting at the bar, where its safe and you don’t have to make the effort of facing the risk of rejection.
- not be the only one, I've done it myself too and it got me broke, drunk and unhappy at the end of the night.
But the crazy thing is, if we know this, why are we doing it?
‘knowing and not doing is the same as not knowing.’
In this video I share my truly exhilarating experience of pushing myself out of my comfort zone ~ Bigstyle!
I invite you, wherever you may be, to join me and we’ll push our comfort zones today.
It doesn't have to be a big thing ~ maybe just inviting your neighbour round for a coffee and a chat will do it.
Just make it something you wouldn't normally do and something that gives you an uncomfortable sensation just thinking about it.
Believe me, once you do it, you WILL feel amazing! And you might even start liking it.
Here’s my video. Enjoy.
