If you’re feeling the urge to do something completely new but it also feels intimidating to get so far off from your comfort zone, I hear you! We’re not all born independent & natural risk-takers, but we can learn to nurture + develop these personality traits.
Especially as soulful entrepreneurs & business-owners, we often feel the call strongly & more difficult to ignore because we’re closely connected to our intuition + guidance.
Ambitious projects will inevitably scare us off at one point or another. That’s ok – step back, remind yourself of your plan, adjust as necessary & come back to it. You wouldn’t have this desire if you didn’t have what it takes to make it a reality.
An example from my life:
I recently decided to do Instagram Lives on a weekly basis – me, who has zero public speaking experience, who’s very reserved & who just started blogging again. I became so anxious + nervous, I couldn’t do it. I had migraines, brain fog, fits of crying after going live.. I was terrified of this crazy idea. Yet, I was also compelled to it & living through the worst taught me I can survive this too & I even learn from it.
Was it a failure? Temporarily perhaps, but not in the grand scheme of things. Doing it a few times proved to myself that I could do it well enough, I’m learning how to calm my nerves & I’ve boosted my confidence.
Will I do it again? Oh yes! It’s not my favorite thing (yet) but I’m excited to have broken the ice & I’m very much looking forward to developing this skill.
A few things that helped me:
1. Mindset
A key motivator is your why. In my example, I’m training myself to teach to groups & to speak live as I want to engage more personally with my audience (that’s YOU by the way!). This goal feels very aligned with my life’s calling which is why I’m ready to suffer the discomfort, learning curve & public vulnerability so that I can fulfill my purpose, create better content & start building a community.
The same will be true for you. If you intentionally seek the inherent reward / pleasure in your new project, you’ll unlock stores of new motivation + energy. The clearer your reasons for doing this, the stronger your courage + resilience will be to see it through. Your commitment to your why is the force that’ll pull you forward every time you become uncomfortable – which will be probably half of the time.
2. Plan
What instructions or steps can you follow to lead you to your desired outcome? If you’re publishing a podcast, hosting a retreat, or speaking live, you’ll need to put in place key elements. In my case, I outlined my talk & I rehearsed my message. I also checked my tech so that it runs smoothly when I do it.
Which elements do you need to execute in your project? If you’re selling a new online course, you’ll need a sales page + a way to accept payments, which will include having a clear offer & deciding on your price.
Project Planning with Intention
If you want some actionable help to plan + execute your new project, download my worksheet + checklist for free!
3. Best practices
How can you complete your project in a professional manner? In my case, I learned about lighting, background set, camera angle + sound, & I read Instagram Live + Highlights tutorials. This was all new to me & some things I didn’t know to look up until I learned about it coincidentally. Don’t underestimate synchronicities & make note of everything you want to learn.
Then, do your best & know that there’ll always be room for improvement + refinement. Don’t let your desire to master + implement everything to stall you. Getting into action will teach you as much about yourself than about the new thing you’re starting.
4. Support
I was so shaken by the prospect of going live a 2nd time that I called a close friend. She cheered me on before, during & after. She said how much she’s proud of me & of how far I’ve come. Other friends showed up live, commented & sent me congratulations. It made such a difference!
Who can you count on when you need technical or emotional support? Who can you tell about your nervousness that will see you & help you believe in yourself? It may be family, friends or even virtual peers – reach out if you need support!
5. Celebrate!
After each of my Lives, I felt a rush of energy! I was bursting with happiness, pride, nervousness, & fear residues. I cheered loudly, congratulated myself in the mirror, texted my besties & journaled. When I complete smaller goals (like publishing a blog), I’ll have a piece of dark chocolate 🍫 When the ecstasy wears off, I ground myself with a good meal, I curl up on the couch with a book, or I do something else that allows me to cool off.
You’ll want to celebrate too, it’ll be impossible to ignore. Indulge in the feeling of accomplishment! Savor this moment to balance out the discomfort of reaching out of your comfort zone, it’ll help you feel safe the next time you do it.
6. Compassion
Maybe, like in my case, you’re a bit in shock after you’ve launched or reached a milestone. Give yourself permission to rest + integrate your emotions. Take the time you need to go for a walk, talk with a friend, or get a massage. You’ll need to be centered to finish the last step of the process.
7. Reflect
The last step is to reflect on your experience & take note of lessons learned + how you’ll adjust next time. What went well? What could be improved? What did you enjoy or played to your strengths? What do you want to adjust? Record everything in a SOP.
If you feel called to do something bold, know that there’s no one grading you except yourself. Don’t compare & measure yourself, even to your hopes + expectations – not at the beginning at least. You’ll get there, but right now your curiosity + sense of humor are your best assets.
You’re very courageous to be starting this new project & you’ll learn so much as you do it! Business is such a vast topic, we’ll always learn something new as technology + trends evolve. So strengthening your ability to regularly get outside of your comfort zone is one of the most important skills you can hone.
Leave your self-doubt at the door & put your dreams first – anyway, isn’t it your destiny to realize them? You’re free to be completely yourself, beautifully unique & brilliant. So stop hiding & dare to create ripples, to stumble & to laugh it off!
Now I want to know:
What project are you starting? Why are you excited to get if off the ground?
Let me know in the comments below!
Marie xo
Marie-Eve Talbot is an online business manager, mentor & course creator for life coaches, holistic healers & light workers. She blends her passion for online business management with a mindful lifestyle. She lives in Montréal, Canada.
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