The Impact of Change

Last night, I had a long drive to the Mayo Clinic for a checkup from the surgery I had a few weeks back. During the drive, I had a lot on my mind and lots of time to think. As I went through my responsibilities for the week ahead, I started thinking about the topic of change and why change is difficult.

I thought about a magnet on my refrigerator that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Why do we even need reminders like this? Because change is hard, but comfort can kill us.

Change Is Hard, Because It Forces Us To Get Uncomfortable

Change asks us to do something that takes us into a direction we are not familiar with. That said, change is necessary if you want to grow and expand in all areas of life, including body/physical, business/work, balance/personal relationships, being/mental.

Throughout my life, when I’ve been willing to commit to change and commit to leaving my comfort zone, change has driven massive growth in my life.

Change Is Really Hard, Especially When You Are Comfortable.

When you find yourself in a place where you experience pain, inspiration or learning, those feelings will get you thinking about change. This is when you have to start a process to evaluate your current situation and find a way to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is how you can bring quality and productive change into your life.

Imagine This… You’re Stranded On A Deserted Island.

You have everything you need to survive, and you can live out your days there. You are comfortable. But… You will likely never get off that island if you stay in your comfort zone, and that means you will never see anyone else again. Do you stay or do you go?

Think about Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland in Castaway…

Pain, inspiration and learning drove Chuck to finally leave his island and his comfort zone, venturing out onto the open sea. He picked a path and he went. He didn’t waiver. Instead, he believed and followed through.

Throughout Life, We Find Ourselves Comfortable On Our Islands. 

Sometimes it is hard to leave, because change and fear of the unknown can be scary. This is when you need a process that allows you to evaluate the facts, and line those facts up with your values, goals and vision. If the facts don’t serve, the place you are needs to change. That’s when you know it’s time.

Pick a path, and walk it with commitment and courage. In doing this, you can drive meaningful change in your life.

The lesson:

Walk the path, be grateful for where you are and enjoy the journey. Be present and courageous in your commitments to change, and watch where that takes you.