Get out of your comfort zone and into the fire.
Sometimes we get comfortable—too comfortable.
Things start going well in one or multiple areas of our lives.
There is an ease in turning the hamster wheel one more day because it’s familiar. It’s a known quantity. Autopilot sets in and we forget about the bigger picture. We stop taking the steps that challenge us and help us grow.
Years may pass until we realize the potential we’re missing out on.
I know, because it just happened to me.
Luckily, a simple notification was all it took to kick me off the hamster wheel.
Searching for the Spark
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a memory post in my Facebook feed. It was a training post from a few years back for a 5k race called the Corporate Challenge.
In that moment I realized two things. First, the Challenge was coming up again soon and I should prepare. Second, I needed a new mountain to climb.
At this time of year, back in 2017, I was overweight, burned out and completely lost. I used the race as a North Star to reinvent my health.
I raced the Challenge for three years, each year getting a little bit better. 2017, 2018, 2019... then we all know what happened next.
The Pandemic struck and took away the race for two whole years.
I started thinking, “What’s next for me? Am I getting too comfortable?”
Ever since, I’ve tried to maintain a level of fitness with walking and rowing, but it’s not the same. I didn’t need sameness, I needed that fire back.
I needed the spark that inspired me to race when I was at my lowest.
I needed a new North Star.
So, I’ve decided to follow a new North Star and to start slowly with the incremental milestones that will help get me there.
My New North Star (aka lofty goal)
I will complete a triathlon before I turn 40.
That gives me until September 2024 (approximately 2 and a half years) to complete.
The first step
Train for and complete the first 5k I’ve run in years.
Training - Day 1
Bright and early on Monday morning, I got up, had some water, warmed up, stretched, and leapt out the door.
The goal was 4 sets of 4minute bursts with a 1minute walk in between each set.
It was exciting and a bit intimidating—the perfect balance for a new fire.
My stamina was solid because of the rowing regime, but my legs were not particularly happy about my new found goal.
Save Me
At the end I was tired and felt a little broken. As I rounded the last of the intervals, one song came on “Save Me” by Remy Zero. If you’re unfamiliar with the title, you’ll probably recognize the song as the title track from the classic TV show *Smallville. (You’re welcome.🐱🏍)*
“Somebody saaaaaaaaaaave meeeeee. I don’t care how ya doooo it... Just staaay. Just staaay. C’mon. I’ve been waitin’ for you.”
In that moment, I felt like I could fly.
I summoned every ounce of energy I had left and propelled myself forward. I made it back to the house with thirty seconds to spare.
I was tired and achy, but I had a large, stupid grin on my face. It was the kind of moment I remembered from the end of that first Corporate Challenge. At the time, it felt like a mountain to even attempt running a 5k.
When I crossed that first finish line, I felt like I could do anything.
That’s what the fire does—it changes our perception of what is possible.
How to Stoke the Fire
Try to think of something you’ve always wanted to do, but never tried.
Make the goal a challenge that will take you time to complete.
Break it into multiple steps and phases.
Build up the fire slowly so that you stick with the progress. It will take time.
Be challenging, but fair to yourself.
Final Thoughts
The road will be difficult to complete this new, lofty goal.
But the fire is what forges us into something better.
When you feel the ease of sameness taking over, consider what wonderful, lofty goal you’ve been holding back on and take the first step to greet it with open arms.
Your future self will thank you for it.
Until next week, here are links to what I’ve been working on and treasures I’ve found out in the creative wilderness.
Enjoy!
Recent Finds
Matt D’Avella — I keep making the same mistake. (Video) | A candid and authentic check-in from Filmmaker and YouTuber Matt D’Avella. As a passionate creator himself, Matt recognizes that even the best of us get bogged down from time to time. In this video he has some great advice for how to address the overwhelm head on. A highlight for me was when he referenced a conversation with a friend who said, “sometimes when it comes to burnout or working too hard, you have to go across the line to find where it is.” I totally agree. It may be a necessary evil to cross that line and find our own boundaries. But what we do next to prevent crossing it again is the key.
BBC — Why introverts excelled at working from home (Blog) | For all my fellow introverts out there, this one’s for you. I am an introvert. While it’s fair to say I’ve opened up to others as I’ve become more comfortable with who I am, I naturally restore my creative energy from solitude. Working from home during the Pandemic has revealed a lot about human psychology. In the past, “constant communication” was seen as the gold standard. In many cases, the isolation of the Pandemic revealed the value of introverts who may struggle with communication, but excel in completing tasks on their own. A fascinating read.
Rich Webster — How to Focus (Carousel) | I’ve been following Rich Webster for a bit on the gram. He’s a prolific creator and teacher of all things productivity. This post he recently made on focus is fantastic. Each slide is something I’d recommend taking a chance on. Such a great reminder for those of us trying to buckle down and get things done.
BONUS:
7 Years (Song Cover by Flaw)
An extra bonus this week. I recently found a cover playlist on Spotify called “Metal Covers.” A lot of great stuff, but this cover of Lukas Graham’s “7 Years” really got me. Such a poignant reminder to treasure our time in this world.
Quote of the Week
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
— Viktor E. Frankl, Neurologist & Author
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
