What have you done recently that has stretched your personality and taken you beyond your comfort zone?
I want to grow as a writer. Which means I need to learn the craft, expand my horizons, widen my network and establish a platform.
Some of these things require a S T R E T C H I N G of my abilities. Pushing past my own limitations and emotions. Trusting God to meet me as I step out in unknown territory.
One of my stretching exercises – I attend a monthly business meeting in my local area for networking purposes. Every time the date rolls around, I get the jitters. I know once I get there, I’ll be glad I made the effort. But the idea of walking into a room (always a different location) meeting new people, sharing a brief bio…thank you but I’d rather be back home at my desk writing ( : Yet every time I go, I come back energized, with a stash of new business cards, new contacts and possible ideas for new articles.
But I still get the jitters. And each month I push myself out the door and force myself to do what I need to.
Your comfort zone may be different from mine. Stepping out of your comfort zone may mean something more drastic like skydiving, bungee jumping, rock climbing or whitewater rafting.
What do you force yourself to do to grow as a writer or to expand your life? How has this helped you?
Big stretch for me this month? I started my first blog. I’ve tossed around the idea for years but kept shying away from it because of the demands I so often hear bloggers lament about needing to meet. Ack. More expectations from others! Run! Hide! LOL After having a discussion with a more sane person last weekend, I decided to take the plunge and just do it. It’s been WAY easier than I expected, even the setup was simple. And I’ll post when I want, what I want, when I’m inspired to do so. Doesn’t really matter what others may “expect” out of me. 😉
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Comment by Dawn Turner — July 14, 2012
Dawn,
Hey, congrats on starting a blog! Major stretch, I will definitely check it out. I like your attitude of doing it your way and not feeling like you have to live up to expectations. I’ve enjoyed blogging but I keep it to only one day a week. Benefits include reaching out to others, hopefully encouraging people and also helping me write a short word count. I just don’t get into long blog posts. Enjoy your blogging!
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Comment by admin — July 16, 2012
Like some writer folks I know social media has been the hardest thing for me to jump into. I’ve determined that I would like to start with a blog then slide into facebook and twitter somewhere down the road. That’s going to be really stretchy for me. 🙂
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Comment by Anita — July 14, 2012
Anita,
Well, I started with a blog but I’m still running from facebook and twitter! I think the blog is the easier project. Definitely stretchy but it will be good for you. Send me the link when you start one up – I’d love to check it out!
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Comment by admin — July 16, 2012
Hi Cynthia,
For me, it’s going to conferences or workshops. I went to Blue Ridge in 2011 and was so nervous, I almost had a panic attack. Then this year, I went to one day of a conference in Tuscaloosa. I had to fight not only the nervousness of going to one day of a two day conference, but also driving several hours from home to a place I’d never been…it’s seems I’m always being stretched 🙂
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Comment by Jennifer Hallmark — July 15, 2012
Jennifer,
Oh, I totally understand! I struggled all through my first Blue Ridge conference, a major effort for me. Good for you for pressing through and going to another conference this year. Stretching is good, right? Mostly after the fact, not during the process ( :
I’m going to check out your blog, thanks for sharing.
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Comment by admin — July 16, 2012
My partner at Christian Communicators just recently started a BlogTalkRadio Show. Talk about a stretch! I’ve always been talkative, but this talking on the radio is totally different!
You can check out our two shows so far at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christiancommunicators
So proud of you and your stretching, Cynthia!
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Comment by Vonda Skelton — July 20, 2012
Vonda,
How exciting for you! I can picture you doing a radio show, is TV the next stretch for you? : )
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Comment by admin — July 20, 2012