Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Hmm, going by this blog my “status” as a “professional” blogger may be under threat, as I’ve only made 7 posts here in the whole of 2009!

but to be fair that kinda sums up the year for me, as I didn’t really get an awful lot of work done until the last few months of the year, when I finally managed to get my head straight and find the right frame of mind to move on after my divorce, mostly thanks to a couple of good friends, who know who they are, thanks guys!

so what’s that got to do with getting out of my comfort zone?

easy, one of the things that I did do more of this year was go to internet marketing events, and as always, it proved to be a good thing. I’ve met many great new friends, people who I am already working together with on different projects.

as an example of that I’ve already got a great interview done with Jit Uppal (who I met at Lee McIntrye’s workshop) as the giveaway in preparation for my next new product – http://adswaplistbuilding.com

but the even bigger “opportunity” also came from the same weekend workshop in Manchester, when “some guy” ambushed me with a question/proposal whilst I was still a little tired and hungover, just after Jit’s presentation on AdSwaps as it happens.

the “guy” in question was Daniel Wagner, who, along with his business partner James Watson, runs a site called YourInternetBuddies.com, as well as a Platinum mastermind group.

because I was feeling a bit worse for the wear from the previous nights beers and an earlier start than I’m used to, it took a minute or two for me to realise that Dan had not only asked if I would do a presentation on AdSwaps for his group, but that I’d actually agreed!

as I’m not one to back down once I’ve made a commitment, I suddenly got that weird buzz of mixed excitement and fear that comes from doing something that is outside your comfort zone.

whilst I do know the topic (AdSwaps) inside and out, I’d never done a live presentation to a room full of people before, so whilst I knew it would be a great opportunity, it also “gave me the willies” as they say! 🙂

anyway, to keep to the point, I took the risk of getting out of my comfort zone and ended up really enjoying it! In fact it went so well I’ve even agreed to do it again for an even bigger group (2-300 people) in March in Colorado at Marc Horne and Hollis Carter’s weekend workshop.

Looking back it easily counts as my personal “high point” for 2009, as I faced the “fear” of stepping outside my comfort zone, enjoyed it, and may well be adding a new “string” to my marketing “bow”!

so the next time you’re presented with the chance to step outside your comfort zone, don’t be too quick to dismiss it…

oh, and the presentation was recorded, so I’ll be offering the full 70+ mins as a product soon, but in the meantime you can see the “Q&A” session I did at the end of the presentation on YouTube here: –

and as a last word, I’d like to thank Daniel & James for giving me the opportunity. 🙂