Out on a Limb: Expanding Your Comfort Zone
Recently, a mom (we’ll call her Jenny) complained to me that her daughter, Rose, ate too much junk food. When I asked Jenny some questions about this, she revealed that she had a hard time saying no and setting limits. She admitted, “It’s just easier to give her the cookie than deal with a meltdown.”
Rather than tolerate her own anxiety, embarrassment, or guilt in the moment by setting a limit and sticking to it, Jenny chose to give in to Rose’s demands for junk food (even though she knew the long-term consequences were potentially much worse).
Had Jenny been able to endure a little bit of discomfort, she might have realized that she could handle Rose having a meltdown — and that Rose could handle not having a cookie.
Although stretching outside our comfort zones can sometimes be difficult, doing so allows us to learn, experience new things, and grow.
Changes start with baby steps, so I’m going out on a small limb today, beyond my own comfort zone: I’ve created my first video for you.
After you watch it, leave a comment letting me know what you’re going to do for today’s challenge. I can’t wait to have some company out on a limb!
Need help expanding your comfort zone when it comes to parenting? Schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation with me over the phone right here.
We did it! I let Elias drive on the Merritt Parkway on the way home from his othodontist appointment today and we survived. In fact, he did really well. Tomorrow we head down to DC for several college visits and I told him he can drive on the New Jersey Turnpike. And Elias ate his new food. He hated it, gagged even, but he tried it. Now, a post on how to motivate your teen to wear his retainer? Thank you!
Congratulations, Beth! You did it! What was the food that he gagged on? I never wore my retainer either, but my sister wore hers for years, so I’ll ask her for her advice on that one…
He doesn’t want me to say which food. Suffice it to say, though, that he doesn’t have a lot of veggies in his food repertoire, so we were trying a new one.
You’re a total natural Pam 🙂
ok – here’s what I’ll do to step out of my comfort zone…
I have numbers dyslexia and will do anything to avoid things like accounting and taxes. My darling hubby takes care of our accounts and taxes (whew!). But now that I have a business I can’t really expect him to deal with that too.
I’ve been burying my head in the sand about it for too long. I will step WAY out of my comfort zone and figure out (by myself without his help) what I need to do for my business taxes and finally take all of my invoices and receipts and start organising it.
Hold me accountable!
Ok, Kelly. I will. Is there a deadline?
Great video Pam.
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone by learning how to surf. I’m not very good (yet!) but I’ve realised how powerful it is as a way to model to my children about taking bold, brave action. It has taught me so much- especially about how much we expect our children to take action every day as they learn and develop.
Wow, Kristy! Good for you! You are certainly setting a great example by challenging yourself and learning a new skill. I’m super-impressed!
Wow, great video and words of wisdom (as always). So I was playing the video while my 16 year old son was about to drive us home from his crew practice. I asked him what he thought I should do to go outside my comfort zone. He suggested I let him drive on the highway. He has his permit and is scheduled for his license test in two weeks, so we really should do more highway driving, but it’s really (really) outside my comfort zone and I prefer for his dad to deal with that. But I agreed. So, in keeping with the theme of letting our kids feel empowered by taking on a challenge, I’ll let Elias drive (with me in the car) on the highway. As for Elias, it’s only fair he play along as well, he’s going to try a new food. Yay!
Beth,
I love that Elias agreed to try something new, too. I can’t wait to hear what he tries — and how the highway driving goes for you. I’ll be checking in…