March 10, 2016

One chipmunk chases another, bounding up and down, across the patio. A small bird rests in a skeleton of a tree, before fleeing from a blue jay above it. And that jerk of a seagull keeps attacking the ducks on the water, causing them to skirt across the surface.

All the while, peacefully I sit here watching the world play out. The vantage point through giant slats of glass. Surely they think me a imbecilic caged inside a box of wood and metal by none other than yours truly. It’s raining out though, and dry in my box.

Outside the breeze blows, and the cool movement cuts the temperate air. Clouds keep a lovely day hidden from warming rays.

Much better here in my temperature controlled box.

At any rate I can hear the birds sing, though not as loudly. The scent of rain doesn’t quite permeate my box, but then you can’t have everything. It’s a little duller in the box. A little softer, and a little calmer. Less crisp, but you can’t have everything.

And there’s the rub.

What Are You Trading Away for Comfort?

Honestly it’s all driving me mad! Not cool at all.

I want to chase a chipmunk, holler at the seagull to leave the ducks alone, and then shout at the duck to stay off the lawn.

However, I may have over done the yard-work ripping out buried weed barriers last weekend. And by ‘may’, I mean ‘why-god-do-I-hurt-do-much!’. So here I am, on rest and recoup duty, chained to the box.

Then, I started to think about how much of the world we give up for comfort.

“It’s too hot!” “It’s too cold!” Too buggy, too bright, too windy, to raining, too far, and too out of the way. We have an endless list of reasons that the conditions around us aren’t perfect enough to do anything, but peak outside our boxes.

And it doesn’t stop with the physical discomfort of the outdoors.

The Infamous ‘Comfort Zone’

More dangerous than the friend zone, (I can attest) the comfort zone is the enemy of excitement! It is the arch-enemy of passion, and the pitfall of progress!

But it feels so goooooooood!

So to break out of this self-constructed box, we need a plan. We need a man with a plan, and I’ve got one.

It starts with this question: What are you trading away for comfort?

It really doesn’t matter what sort of comfort, or what sort of trade. Some trades are good. Some comfort is nice. However, we aren’t meant to sit on a couch all day wrapped in a blanket, snacking on bon-bons, avoiding all activity, and challenge. That’s what dead people do. You don’t want to be dead.

So if that seems pretty obvious to you, it’s time to start asking questions. What am I not doing because it seems uncomfortable? What are the conversations I’m not having because they’ll the awkward? What are the plans I’m not making because I don’t know where to start? What am I too afraid of to let myself get excited about?

Then get excited.

After you’ve asked the questions, DON’T STOP! Asking the questions is as for as most people get. Then they pat themselves on the back, and head back blindly to the box.

Don’t be like them!

Find one answer, and let yourself be excited about it. Start thinking about how much fun it will be. Make it fun. Make a plan. Be the man with a plan!

And most importantly take one step to start whatever it is you are thinking about. Do one small thing immediately. Do a little research. Set up a class or meeting. Tell a friend about it. Do something!

Because even though the box may be a little softer, and calmer, it can’t compare with the crispness of the world outside it. Free yourself to soar like the eagles, roar like the lions… and run free like the wild chipmunks we are!

Take Action

There are so many more pieces, and strategies for getting out of your comfort zone, and finally being excited about life than I can fit in one post. So if you are interested in waking up excited about you day, accomplishing goals that actually feel like accomplishments, and having someone to give you a helping hand to live your dreams, please subscribe below and lets do this!

-Michael Speck