4. Share an experience that forced you to step outside of your comfort zone.
When I first started blogging THIRTEEN years ago, I befriended a mom blogger from California who was a forward thinker. I’m the type of person who does not think about or care to “take things to the next level.” I’m not looking for growth or change, I am habitual and just fine with mediocre. Tiffany on the other hand, was ready to take blogging to the next level. Eventually, she joined forces with one of my favorite friends Fran and together they ran blog conferences that traveled to different locations across the country…and they took me with them.
I don’t know what sort of ingenuity they saw in me that they thought they needed at their blog conferences, but they added me to the roster of speakers and flew me to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Boston, New Orleans (and of course Seattle) to run a “Writer’s Workshop” track as part of the day-long itinerary. And I would go. And I would pretend that I was the expert Tiffany and Fran believed I was.
These speaking engagements were so far out of my comfort zone, that I would actually feel nauseous as they approached. Leaving my family, boarding a flight alone, traveling somewhere different, finding my way to a hotel and then the pressure of somehow providing value to people who were paying learn something was a lot for me to process was very stressful. Every time a conference approached I thought to myself “I’m never doing this again” but the pressure and stress of the conference was outshined by the fun I had with my friends. I loved helping them behind the scenes and we spent many evenings bonding over room service and wine.
I look back at that season of life and can’t believe I actually did that. Who was that girl? I am extremely lucky and grateful to have befriended such wonderful people early in my blogging days. Thirteen years later they still look out for me. When I lost my job a few years ago, Fran had an interview lined up for me in less than a week to help me find a position in their company that fit with the skills I had learned at my previous job.
And here is where I am supposed to say that the lesson learned here is about how stepping out of your comfort zone can be hard, but you will grow as a person. You will realize you are capable of things you never would have dreamed of for yourself. You will realize you really are capable of taking things to the next level and you are worthy of the position you were put in. I’m supposed to say that the friendships and travel experience gained along the way was worth the anxiety it caused.
And while all that is true…there is still no way in hell I would ever do something like that again. NO WAY!
BEVERLY NICKERSON says
The neat thing is you had friends to hang out with who believed in you. That is actually hard to come by.
About the Visions on eBay—I did look and the base prices weren’t that bad: around $35, but it was the shipping rate that was killer, another $24 dollars. I got the pot from Mayfair shipped free.
Abby says
Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone that way! I’m sure you inspired others along the way, too. But that does sound daunting, especially with a young family.
Mama Kat says
Eventually, I got to a point where I just did not want to sacrifice time away from them. I remember at a blog conference in New York feeling really guilty that I had spent money to attend but could not really guarantee I would make that money back. I could have spent that money on a vacation with them! It was a good experience though!
Paula Kiger says
I hear you on all of that, but would love to have gone to one of your IRL workshops!
Mama Kat says
I agree, it would have been fun just to meet!
Kim says
Most of the best things that have ever happened to me because of stepping out of my comfort zone, but like you – probably never doing them again!
Having said that, I would LOVE to be able to travel. And truly wish that blogging was what it used to be, when everybody had one and updated one and got to know people that way. I miss it.
Mama Kat says
It’s been crazy to watch how blogging went from being the THING to be doing and now it’s crickets. There used to be over 100 people participating in Writer’s Workshop and that is just insane to me. I kind of like it quieter where you can actually get to know the people participating. People are so spread across more social platforms now that they just don’t feel like they need to blog. It was sure fun keep track of a blog roll in our sidebars for awhile!
Patty says
I think you’re still the same girl! Hey, you stepped outside of yourself and took a chance, racked up great experience and crossed it off your bucket list!
I’ll admit to constantly getting cold feet as a stylist. Now and then, someone will sit in my chair and want changes that don’t suit them but, for whatever is going on in their lives, a drastic color change or new style will simply make their issues disappear. I remind them that I am a Beautician, not a Magician! We laugh and inside, my stomach churns. I know that, no matter what I do, it will not fit in with whatever image they have of themselves.
Stay safe!
Mama Kat says
I remember once asking my stylist to give me black hair and she was like…”okay NO, buuut let’s discuss going darker.” I appreciate that she can walk me through what might look good! I can’t imagine just having to go with what someone thinks they’d like. Yikes!