Nothing worthwhile is easy.
Success always lies outside of our comfort zones.
Nothing great happens without hard work, without time and energy being invested. So we need to make sure we’re climbing the right ladders and that we’re investing in what matters most.
The way we spend our time and energy is the way we spend our lives.
Time is our currency and is a great equaliser. We all get exactly the same number of hours in any given day. How do you want to be spending yours?
We need to stretch and expand outside of our comfort zones to achieve anything significant. This can feel really uncomfortable at times. But it’s also a good sign that we’re growing and moving towards something that’s really important to us.
What do you want enough to allow that discomfort and vulnerability?
What will you do that others won’t? To get the results that other won’t. This can be in any area of your life.
What are you willing to struggle for?
What do you want enough to risk ‘failing’ or falling?
And what is the cost of not trying?
We have to decide what’s worth this level of time, energy and commitment and be prepared to feel very uncomfortable along the way as we expand.
But this inevitable stretching and growing doesn’t have to mean pushing ourselves too hard or being go, go, go. It isn’t the same as throwing ourselves into something blindly, or in a bid to distract ourselves from other things in our lives that we’re trying not to face or feel.
Success at anything requires stretch. And some level of discomfort as we grow. So we can expect this. But it doesn’t require that we work ourselves into the ground, or lose sight of other priorities and what matters most.
We need to take care of ourselves as we’re stretching and expanding all the more. Self-care and success can absolutely go hand in hand.
Self-care + being willing to stretch outside of our comfort zones + consistent effort = success.
We need all three to make it work.
We have to be willing to spend time outside of our comfort zones if we want success of any kind. But the hard work and discomfort that comes alongside this doesn’t have to mean burn-out or frenzied doing.
The best type of success comes when we work hard, allow the discomfort of the stretch and when we nurture and take care of ourselves along the way. So we’re able to enjoy life as we go and to enjoy the fruits of our labour.
We won’t be exhausted and we’ll be present enough to recognise any small wins and achievements.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Know that enjoying the ride and caring for yourself, alongside the hard work, will only fuel your success. And leave you available to enjoy it when it comes.
With love,
Kelly x
And a small aside:
If you’re feeling like you’ve spent too much time outside your comfort zone already – for whatever reason, some time spent within it can actually be very healing. It can be a place for re-stabilising, finding equilibrium and integrating everything that’s been learnt.
Sometimes it’s actually vital.
And there is no weakness in that; only wisdom.