Venturing into the Wild: Embracing Discomfort
Venturing into the Wild: Embracing Discomfort
5 Things: Issue 19
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Greta from Tangled Fireweed & Feathers this week to talk about my personal growth journey and finding myself on new ground, the importance of boundaries in our professional lives, my creative writing process, and more. This conversation was recorded for her upcoming podcast that will be released later this year. I’m honoured and excited to have been invited to be on her show.
It got me thinking about new experiences and the discomfort that can accompany them. Like sitting down to be recorded on a podcast!
This is the second podcast I’ve been invited to this month. The first one has just been published. It’s unrelated to my professional life, and I’m still contemplating whether I want to speak about it openly on social media. I’ve posted a link to it above so I can lean into this feeling of discomfort.
Typically, when we embrace uncomfortable situations, we tend to be more engaged in our activities, feel more motivated to keep pursuing them, and believe we have made more progress toward our goals compared to those who don’t seek out this kind of vulnerability.
I often tell my clients (and my kids!) that if you’re feeling nervous about a new adventure—embarking on a new coaching journey, school assignment, or leisure activity, for example—you’re probably doing it right!
Need a boost of positivity?
Lately, I've felt like my optimism muscle needs a tune-up. To give it the boost it deserves, I'm going to try an activity developed by Scott Barry Kaufman and Jordyn Feingold: creating a Positive Portfolio. They designed this activity to help cultivate a more positive mindset by focusing on specific positive emotions or states.
The challenge is simple yet powerful. First, choose a positive emotion you want to cultivate—joy, serenity, gratitude, or any other that resonates with you. Then, gather a collection of items that evoke this emotion: photos, poems, songs, letters, or any object that brings you joy. Curate these into a physical or digital portfolio and spend about 10 minutes engaging with it for five consecutive days.
Reflect on the experience as you go. How does it feel to create and interact with your Positivity Portfolio? Do you find more joy in curating the items or in the daily engagement? Think about whether this practice helps you achieve your desired emotional state and pay attention to any unexpected emotions that arise. This simple yet intentional practice might just be the key to strengthening your positivity muscle and fostering a more optimistic outlook.
Does your business need a tune-up?
If your business is underperforming, it is essential to look both inside and outside for clues. Here are three areas to boost your business performance.
Operational Deficiencies
The satisfaction of your customers must not be ignored. Your marketing promises must align with your operations. Strong systems and dedicated people are essential to meeting customer expectations. Addressing operational weaknesses can improve customer satisfaction and give you an edge over competitors.
People Problems
Your team determines your success. Employees and contractors need clear leadership and a sense of investment in your business’ goals. Regularly encourage them and take an interest in their own development to drive performance. You want to make sure each team member understands their role and its importance. Hire the right people with clear criteria, and don't hesitate to let go of underperformers while always scouting for new talent.
Outdated Customer Acquisition Methods
Creating a strong and effective strategy to draw in and keep customers is absolutely essential. Relying on old methods or waiting for customers to come to you is not sustainable. Do you have a clearly defined value proposition? How do you leverage satisfied customers' feedback? Develop a strong CRM system to maintain regular contact with prospects, customers, and supporters. Being a consistent resource will help you build lasting relationships.
Remember, as a business leader, you often need to drive change. Your most important role will be leading effectively. Reflect on the personal changes required to improve and be prepared to see them through.
“We can make ourselves miserable or we can make ourselves strong. The amount of effort is the same.” ~ Pema Chödrön
Find a moment of presence
I appreciate the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute and its offerings. Lately, I’ve been exploring their guided meditations. If you’re interested in exploring new meditations or trying meditation for the first time, check out this resource.