Entering the Discomfort Zone

“I really want to make more money,” she said, sighing heavily, “but I find it difficult being comfortable asking for what I’m worth.”

This woman was missing the point. I don’t know anyone who feels comfortable raising their prices or asking for a raise. Yet, underearners will sabotage their success rather than endure the discomfort.

It’s astonishing how fiercely we cling to our so-called Comfort Zones. What a misnomer. These places are anything but comfortable. They’re just familiar and predictable.

Whenever you decide to do something different–whether it’s making more money or losing more weight—you must enter the Discomfort Zone–the space between where you are now and where you want to be.

The only way to reach your goal is by stretching beyond what feels comfortable to what may seem impossible, doing what you think you can’t do.

Success carries with it a strict stipulation: feel the fear, endure the discomfort and go for it anyway.

There’s nothing wrong with being afraid. Fear is normal. We all have it. Fear is the natural reaction to real or perceived danger. But the operative word here is ‘perceived.’

I once got an email that gave me a good laugh while vividly making this point. “I can jump out of an airplane, but making more money, now that’s a REAL challenge.”

From this day forward, I urge you to find ways to stretch on a regular basis. It is by pushing yourself that you empower yourself.

What can you start doing right now that will take you out of your comfort zone? Share your thoughts below.

Comments & Feedback

  • Mandy McKillop

    Raising my rates makes me wildly uncomfortable. I haven’t raised them in several years. I have a tiny business in a tiny town with the same regular and consistent base of clients. I love my work. I love my practice. I love my clients. And, aside from making big COVID-related adjustments, I haven’t changed much in years…

    • barbara huson

      Sounds like not raising your rates is working for you Mandy…believe me, not everyone has to. Thanks for writing!!!

  • Ione Hunt von Herbing

    Joining an improv class!

  • Lisa

    Barbara,

    These articles are so much fun to read.

    This weekend I am entering the “discomfort zone” by sitting down all day writing a long proposal for something and doing a 3-4 day fast. It’s not easy, however it will help me reach my weight loss goal for the year if I stick to it. I’m tired of saying every year “I want to lose weight this year”, only to put more weight on. I want to actually make it happy this year, however it’s going to require some discomfort! The payoff is huge though.

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Meet Barbara Huson

When a devastating financial crisis rocked her world, Barbara Huson knew she had to get smart about money… and she did. Now, she wants to empower every women to take charge of their money and take charge of their lives! She’s doing just that with her best-selling books, life changing retreats and private financial coaching.

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