The benefits of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and how it can empower you to take that leap of faith towards a new energised and powerful woman.
I have just returned from doing something I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever do. I abseiled down a cliff face into the sea and climbed up again. Me!! I am scared of water – have been since I was five years old, was swept out to sea and had to be rescued. I’m not great with heights either to say the least! “What on Gods earth am I doing here” I said to myself as I leant backwards over the cliff face!!!
I did it because my husband has always loved the idea of climbing, my children also love it, and in a mad sort of way, I felt that if I could do this, it would be a huge learning curve - if I succeeded and even enjoyed it, that would be the icing on the cake, so in fear and trepidation, I decided to give it a try. Anyway, I could always sit by the side and read my book if I didn’t feel like giving it a go!!
This past year has been life changing for me. My best friend died of cancer and from diagnosis to the moment she died, I held her hand and helped her through her illness – she fought her illness bravely for five long years. She was an inspiration to me and even though I felt initial relief that she was in no more pain. While I grieved for her I started my own company, ran the London Marathon and completed my degree – I tried to fill my life being busy. I have three fantastic boys and although they are a full-time job, I felt that I needed to do something to really push me as an individual, something to challenge me and push me physically outside my comfort zone - I needed a boost of adrenalin.
I am fully aware of the benefits of physical activity – I run a lot and try to go to the gym whenever I can. It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said “you must do the thing you think you cannot do”. My experiences last week in Wales has proved that the feeling of exhilaration and achievement on the inside has a great influence on how positively I operate out in the real world.
I am a great believer in creating balance and harmony in life – the stresses of being a woman today coupled with the pressure to go back to work, look perfect, be perfect etc can take its toll. To balance this kind of stress with a physical activity will most definitely help you achieve this balance. Endorphin release through exercise gives the same high as an illegal drug and I do not need to go into the added benefits of exercise to convince you that it makes sense to get out there and do something that pushes you beyond what you think you are capable of.
Doing something physical – running, playing tennis, swimming or even abseiling down a cliff face can help you develop a positive self belief – a positive self-fulfilling prophecy. Life is too short to stuff a mushroom and also too short to waste in hanging back, underselling yourself and being less than your best.
Imagine yourself in five or ten years time – where would you like to be and what would you like to be doing? Would you like to get back to work, but you don’t know where to start? Are you trying to make some changes in your life or are you bored with your current job and need to move forward with your career? Are you working towards these goals right now or are they just your wishes and hopes for the future? If your dreams feel far away or somewhat unrealistic, you can bring them into your reality right now, in this very moment, by making a commitment to yourself to change your life.
I have changed my life – I am a much happier person now than I was even six months ago. I believe that doing exercise has been a major contributor and I will always continue to exercise. I had one of the best holidays of my life in Wales – I can honestly say that pushing myself way outside my comfort zone has changed me as a person. After all, if I was able to face my fears and do it anyway, walking into a room full of strangers and making a presentation is a piece of cake! You can do it too – after all what have you got to loose??
Written by Alice Jones, mum to Oli (12), Robert and Andrew (10) and founder of A Brave New World Ltd.
If you would like further information on how to take control of your life and take those first few steps to a new empowered you, visit our website www.abravenewworld.co.uk. Alice stayed at Mount Severn Activity Centre in Wales. For more information check out their website www.mountsevern.co.uk
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