Last Thursday night, I found myself standing on a small stage in Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago, performing a song to a little roomful of strangers.
When I’d woken up that morning, I’d had no idea this was going to happen. But when my friend Eric texted just a few hours before the show to ask me if I wanted to join him onstage that night, I instantly said yes.
Eric is a poet and rapper, and in the third month of my nomadic adventure, back in March of 2018, I’d dropped into a recording studio in Champaign, Illinois and, at Eric’s request, spontaneously added some background vocals on one of his songs. Since I’m back in Chicago this month, he had the idea for me to perform that song live with him.
And that’s how I came to be on stage boots-and-catsing into a mic.
The “yes” to unexpected experiences continues: Tonight, I’m attending a bilingual improv workshop in Chicago!
While I’ve been improvising for more than 20 years, and have dropped into various theaters to play with strangers all over the country for the past 8 years (something that’s always a little vulnerability workout!)…I’ve never improvised in Spanish! I studied Spanish years ago, and I’m definitely rusty.
I’m honestly a little nervous.
And that’s the biggest reason I signed up for the workshop. Not in spite of it feeling scary, but because it’s a little scary.
Because when I step outside of my comfort zone on purpose – when I’m willing to tolerate the anticipation of doing something a little scary and the discomfort of actually doing it – I’m almost always glad I did. At least one of the following things happens (and usually more than one):
- I discover something about myself that I never knew existed, or reawaken parts of me that have been dormant.
- I work out my courage, vulnerability, and boldness muscles– getting stronger and more confident as I teach myself again and again that I can survive discomfort and do things even if I feel afraid.
- I meet someone new who becomes a meaningful part of my life – whether through a shared moment that lives on in me, or through a longstanding connection.
- I have fun and/or learn something and/or
increase my empathy.
We can step out of our comfort zones on purpose, in everyday ways, taking Right Risks aligned with our intuition and our values. By doing so, we grow our capacity to be courageous and bold in all aspects of our lives.
Several of the people who have joined The Lab have told me that they signed up in part because it was a step outside their comfort zones – and the payoff has been enormous beyond their imaginations.
What is one little brave step you could take outside your comfort zone this week?
Let this be your gentle nudge to give it a go.
¡Hasta luego!