Stretch out of your comfort zone?

Last week I delivered a presentations 7 Signs You Are Ready to Stretch and Actions to Take to a group of people in career transition.

The 7 signs we focused on were:

  • You are restless – feeling an “itch” to do something more or different
  • You are seeking – feeling a need for greater purpose in what you are doing
  • You are bored – seeking greater passion in your work or life
  • You are in a rut – feeling a need to change things up
  • You are feeling a pull – feeling ready to act on an idea you have
  • You have an opportunity – one that is out of the norm for you
  • You are questioning – wondering what impact you are having
Some great conversation too place around these 7 signs.  Some thoughts and ideas the audience shared:
  • Never close a door until you look through it first – when a new idea or opportunity shows up that is out of your comfort zone, take the time to review it with open eyes and an open mind
  • Take notice of what actions you do on a daily basis that are within your comfort zone – begin to take daily small steps out of your comfort zone.  This will get you out of your rut, address your restlessness and may even spark new passion
  • Volunteer – especially in an area that is out of your comfort zone – may also boost your passion, give you greater meaning and even spark an idea to pursue

What signs are you noticing that it’s time for you to stretch?

What thoughts do you have to get you out of your comfort zone?

Nostalgia in New York

I visited New York for the first time since I moved away 6 years ago.  Our first stop upon arrival was a drive in NYC for what else?  A pretzel!

Our next stop?  Our hometown of Valley Stream.  We stopped at the home we owned before moving to NC and each of our childhood homes.  We also had to have my favorite pizza, an individual Grandma’s pizza at Ancona on Rockaway Ave.  We walked up and down the avenue looking for familiar sites and of course we had to stop for my all time favorite homemade rice pudding at Mitchell’s.

We also took a walk around Hendrickson Park, a place I spent so much of my childhood and teenage years.  Here is the bench I used to sit on as I contemplated whatever was going on in my life at the time, my place to think and journal.

We drove all around Long Island visiting with members of our extended families and were also able to see some friends we had not seen in a long time.  There is nothing like my aunt’s cooking!!  Here is a sample of what we enjoyed – eggplant parmesean and rice balls.

What a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Why I Started Painting Again

This month, my article focused on understanding what we want out of life and why we want it, so I thought I would share one of mine….

Several years ago I knew an important want in my life was to start painting again.  I wanted art, painting, creativity to once again become an integral part of my life.  How did that look?  At first my thoughts were to take classes, buy supplies, have a subject to paint, have a space in my home to paint with all materials at the ready

I knew what I wanted to create and the actions to make it happen.  The anchor to get me moving – was why.

For me the why is value of beauty, capturing nature, colors.  It is the need for expression of emotion and creativity.  It serves as a stress reliever for when in the flow I am calmer, more present, in another space entirely.

Do I paint every day?  No I don’t, but I have everything at the ready when inspiration or need for expression surfaces.