There’s a hard truth that I can’t seem to get around, no matter how I splice it. It’s this: you cannot fulfill your greatest potential if you stay inside your comfort zone.
It’s hard to accept because everything in my nature seeks comfort. I don’t know about you, but nothing inside of me screams let’s just go around the bend when the path is straight. For most of us, security is in our wiring, it’s our default auto-pilot.
Lately, I've been mulling over this topic of greatness. I've studied a few influential leaders of our time. I can't honestly say I know exactly what makes people great…it’s some combination of talent, grit, hard work, and chance. But I do know that in every case it involves going beyond the boundaries of comfort.
I remember living a year in which I decided to say yes to things that scared me. I said yes to things that made me uncomfortable. I committed to speaking at new events I had no experience being involved with. I opened myself to meeting new people and making friendships that seemed, at best, awkward. If I knew that I would grow or gain something positive from the experience, I resolved to do it. I did this because I knew deep inside I'd gotten comfortable, and I knew there is no progress without struggle and discomfort.
Once, I even shared at an open mic night. I wasn’t planning on it, mind you. I went to a coffeeshop to meet with a friend, little knowing that it was hosting an open mic, and they were inviting anyone from the audience to come up. Well, I suppose I had to say yes to that, too. I got up in front of beardos and hipsters I've never met—standing against my better senses and mental sirens—and managed to fumble through a few verses I had written years ago. I also recited a couple of Frost poems. Then I heard some claps and snaps and the rest was a blur.
Was I scared as hell? Yes. Was it also one of my most powerful moments from that year? You bet. I discovered a new part of me that was able to see the fear and rise above it. Even if I failed, I didn’t—because I grew from it. I overcame something that seemed impossible before. I stretched myself and discovered a new muscle.
All that now seems like a distant memory. Over the course of time, I’ve settled back to the natural curve of comfort. The progression of life—work, marriage, mortgage, family and friend milestones—gave me a convenient excuse. It’s easy to justify it, too. You can compare yourself to others and think “I’m not doing too bad.” Maybe you’ve been outworking most of the people around you. Maybe you’ve been more successful than some.
But I have a feeling that’s not how God measures things, anyway. When it’s all said and done, I think we’ll be answering only for what we’ve been given. I gave him one talent, I gave her five...what’s it to you? I gave you two talents.What did you do with those?
In those quiet moments, when I’m faced with myself, I keep returning to this. Do I want to be comfortable, or do I want to be great? Do I want to be safe, or do I want to risk making a difference for people in the world?
I am aware that my days are numbered. Whenever God calls me home, I want to know that I made the most of everything I had.
So, this year, I resolved to take it up again. I’m going to follow my curiosities. I’m going to accept the risks. I'm going to fail and fall and figure out how far I can go. This is what it takes to grow and get better—there is no other option.
I ask you to do the same. This could potentially damage you—your ego, your reputation, your feelings. But this could also be your most rewarding year yet.
There’s a natural desire to shrink. Don’t. Breakthroughs only come when you stay in the midst of the challenge, and finally break through. I know you can do it because I did it, too.
I can't wait to hear your stories of courage and success. I'm rooting for you on the sidelines.