The Best Thing I Did For Myself In 2021 - Do Hard and Uncomfortable Things

As 2021 was coming to an end, I started wondering, among all the things I did for myself this year, what's the best one. And then it hit me. It was not investing in training and certification or deciding to start another career path; it was a decision I made to do hard and scary things, things that make me uncomfortable.

We all have those hard or uncomfortable things we're afraid to do, whether it's speaking up in the meeting and sharing our opinion in front of the superiors and other teammates, attending a networking event, going to job interviews, or doing public speaking.

And then, instead of doing those things, we start making excuses and procrastinating. Finally, at the very last moment, we decide not to do it, or we lie to ourselves we'll do it next time for sure. So the time goes by, and we keep procrastinating and putting it off because it just doesn't feel like it's the right time. And it's never gonna feel that way. So you either decide to do it now, or you keep lying to yourself you'll do it later.

So, what's the big deal if you decide to procrastinate and put it off for a while? How can that impact your career, goals, and your life? It can stop you from making progress. It's an obstacle your brain creates to keep you in a safe, comfortable, and familiar space.

When you decide to stay where you are, you don't move, and there's no change. But you can choose to move no matter how hard or uncomfortable it seems. There's always a choice of what path you will take in career or life, and the choice is yours. So, that's what I did. I decided I'm not going to chicken out every time I feel scared or uncomfortable and that instead, I'll do what I want no matter how scary it feels. I decided to intentionally go out of my comfort zone because I knew that's what makes a difference. That's what's gonna help me grow and achieve my goals.

A few months ago, I kept signing up for online networking events and then canceling them at the last moment, creating all kinds of excuses - "I'm too tired, it's better if I attend it next time." "I am not prepared today." "What if it doesn't go well or the way I expect? It's better if I do it next month." So, I kept postponing it, believing in my excuses until the day when I got fed up with myself and decided no matter how scared or uncomfortable I was, I would attend it anyway.

So, what helped me trick my mind and do it anyway? A simple question I ask myself "What's the worst that can happen if I do it now?" When I go over the worst-case scenario in my head and do a little inner dialogue, it doesn't seem that bad anymore. Anyway, how likely is it that the worst-case scenario is really going to happen precisely how you envisioned? I'd say minimal.

Can you recognize yourself here?

Has it ever happened to you that you really wanted to share your opinion during an important meeting, but you stopped yourself 'cause you thought your opinion didn't matter or that you're probably not right? And you stayed quiet and never shared your opinion. But then, after the meeting, you were beating yourself up for not having enough courage to speak up? Or maybe someone else was brave enough to say the same thing you wanted to?

Or maybe you had a great idea how to change some processes in the company, come up with some methods that will save everyone time or money, or introduce some strategies on how to increase sales. Still, you were scared to present your idea because you thought there was no way it'll get accepted. You were scared everyone would think you're stupid and not an expert? So, you decided to do nothing, but that idea stayed in the back of your mind all the time, reminding and blaming you for not going through with it.

Don't you think it's about time to stop that sh...t? Don't you think it's about time to start sharing your ideas, opinions, attend those job interviews, and speak up? And really, what's the worst thing that can happen if you do it? And more importantly, what's the best thing that can happen if you do it now?

Here's what happened to me when I finally decided to attend that online networking event:

• I felt more confident

• I felt like I could do anything I want

• I realized it was not that scary or uncomfortable as I thought; it was just a story I was telling myself and nothing more than that

• I got motivated to go out of my comfort zone even more

• It taught me to celebrate things that went well and work on the things that I could have done better

• I felt so proud of myself

This is the best thing I did for myself in 2021, and I'll keep doing it in 2022 because it's a game-changer for me.

Will you do the same for yourself?