The Importance of Challenging Yourself
Something in me was dying and I didn't know what it was.
Every day, I'd get up, go to work and wish I was somewhere else.
I didn't have a name for it back then, but there were two things I was completely certain of…
One…
I didn't need to be there.
And two…
I was working just enough not to get fired.
Sound familiar?
I don't remember when it happened, but I do remember sitting at my desk every day wishing for something different and completely unsure how to make it happen.
When I look back at my career in corporate America, I realize that the problem was me being comfortable in my job and complacent with my pursuits.
As long as I met the daily quota, followed all of their rules and sent no red flags—there were no complaints.
But it was monotonous.
I felt like I was suffocating.
And I didn't know why.
All I knew was that I wasn't supposed to be there.
I was supposed to be doing something else.
I was supposed to be somewhere else.
While everyone else was competing, stressing and struggling to get supervisory and management positions, I wanted nothing to do with it.
I wanted different.
I wanted excitement.
I wanted a challenge.
The only problem was…I didn't know what to do.
I realized later that challenging myself was an important pillar of my personality.
Challenges are key factors in growing and building confidence.
They help you see things from a different perspective and keep you flexible and alert for when things really get hairy.
So, how did I get out of my own way?
I decided that I was going on a journey of self-exploration.
I was going to try new things.
I was going to do old things in new ways.
I was going to create new habits, question everything, speak to interesting people and accept whatever challenge came my way.
What I Learned
After two years of doing this, here's what happened…
I found what I really liked and didn't.
I found new friends in surprising places.
I picked up new hobbies.
Created new habits.
Found new adventures and created better ways of doing things.
I helped other people create their own path and realized my passion for business.
New challenges gave me a different perspective—a different outlook on life and a better understanding of what I really wanted.
And that's what I needed.
I didn't want to be in corporate because there was nothing there for me.
I had no motivation to reach the top of the management hierarchy or to swim in the circle of other applicants hoping to get noticed by some big company.
It didn't appeal to me.
But, freedom did.
As I spent two years exploring other avenues and pursuing my passions, I realized that freedom was what I sought.
It was what I was missing, sitting there in those grey cubicles, staring out of the window—hoping for something different.
It wasn't money.
Or power.
Or fame and recognition.
I wanted to be able to wake up when I wanted, take vacations when I wanted, buy what I wanted and live a life that I truly enjoyed.
By deciding that I was going to do something different and accepting the challenges that came my way, I learned who I was and could grow into.
Accept the challenge and see where it takes you.
P.S. Whenever you're ready... here are a few ways I can help YOU grow YOUR business:
Explore my email + group coaching membership program where small business owners learn how to balance the various demands of their life and passion for helping others.
Visit the JSR Vision Academy where I share valuable and actionable content in the form of Masterclasses, ebooks, various downloads, group coaching, and more!
Join The Uncomplicated CEO community where I do live trainings designed to help CEOs align their vision with simple systems and strategies.
Listen to The Building Better Businesses Podcast. Here I share actionable tips and strategies you can use to become the CEO of your life and business.
