Your comfort zone is killing you

A few years ago a mentor of mine made a simple statement that stuck in my side like a thorny cactus that’s always been there but I just didn’t see it.

He said, “the costliest words you’ll ever utter are the excuses you use to rationalize not doing the things you know need to be done.”

Ouch.

Read that again.

Do you have things you need to get done but have been rationalizing your way to inaction, delay, hesitation, and procrastination?

I’m not talking about day-to-day tasks, I’m talking about the bigger things that are dampening your zest for life, stealing your confidence, and keeping you playing small.

Recognize any of these?…

“This job is sucking my soul but I’ve invested too much to leave now…”

“I just don’t have the time to focus on my priorities…”

“Once this project is done, then I’ll get to work on my dreams…” (and another project and another project gets in the way)

“This stress is killing me but it’s only 15 years to retirement…”

“These extra 30lbs aren’t that bad….”

It’s not my fault my work distracts me from my kids and I haven’t had a date night in 3 years….”

…And so on

What are your excuses costing you?

Sometimes you’re fully aware of what you’re doing — using excuses to avoid having to do the hard work.

Sometimes these rationalizations are blindspots but your lack of progress and sense of dissatisfaction is clear as day.

And sometimes these statements seem so understandable and rational at the moment…But upon further reflection you’ll see them for what they really are – just excuses and “stories” that allow you to stay inside your comfort zone.

Know this: your comfort zone is killing you.

It’s killing your confidence.

It’s killing your drive.

It’s killing your chances to leave a legacy you can be proud of.

Playing it safe is a trap too many men fall into.

The irony is playing it safe year after year NEVER leads to FREEDOM.

It leads to a prison of mediocrity and a mountain of frustration.

It leads to missed opportunities and lost financial returns.

It leads to being a poor role model for how to go after your dreams.

And let’s be honest, it just makes you more edgy and irritable to those around you.

And yet it doesn’t have to be a life sentence.

Every day I speak with men who are sick and tired of being stuck. Men who are fed up with the status quo and are determined to make some changes.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know HOW to fix your frustration and it doesn’t matter if you don’t know WHAT exactly you want.

All that matters is you have a burning desire to break out of your rut and you’re open to doing things a different way.

(‘Cuz you know your way isn’t working!)

I realize you might think you should be able to figure this out on your own. But that’s just another rationalization that’s keeping you trapped.

And you deserve your freedom.