Sometimes you have to experience discomfort to see a positive change in yourself. Let's remind ourselves of this as we deal with people and situations that are planted outside of our comfort zones. My comfort zone — the place where I’m tempted to be complacent — lies in my shy, introverted personality.
Social situations like first impressions and public speaking always have the tendency to drive me up a wall.
At what point, I ask, will my stomachache settle or my hands stop shaking? At what point, for instance, will I stop typing things like “how not to die during class presentation” into the Google search bar? Well, I’m not sure. The only thing to be sure of is the fact that stagnation will not help me to improve. Prayer and practice will, though. I really wish I could give you personalized tips and tricks on obliterating social anxiety if you have it too, but I’m experimenting.
We can figure this thing out by doing and remembering a number of things. A Marc & Angel Hack Life article, written by Marc Chernoff entitled, “...Things We Think We Need Today that Won’t Matter at All in the Long Run” had some points that really resonated with me. I hope they can inspire you too.
Out of the four points Chernoff makes about leaving our comfort zones, learning, and growing, there’s a place in which he says that “the draw of comfort...combined with lack of action absolutely devastates our potential. When we avoid discomfort, nothing worthwhile gets done. And the only way to fix this predicament is daily practice.” So, we can take that quote to mean that in order to see a change in our social interactions and anxiety, we have to practice.
We have to get at least a little uncomfortable every day so that we won’t just remain in that cone of shyness. If shyness or the anxiety you experience in a given situation frustrates you, do something about it. Chernoff also challenges people to “choose to raise your hand and ask that extra question when it would be more comfortable to stay silent. Choose to stand your ground when it would be more comfortable to fit in.” I happen to have presentations to do in all of my classes this semester.
Will I still be googling “how to not die…” every time I see "class presentation" in course syllabus? No. Instead, I’ll make it point to build myself up by practicing, being positive about my situation, believing it to be “a piece of cake” as if it already is and will always be.
Maybe my hands will never stop shaking in that type of situation, but... at some point, I’ll be proud to say that I value growth, positivity, and practice.
Plus, it’s a given that Philippians 4:13 will be forever true.
