Cozy Won’t Cut it!

This came to me in the shower this morning, no really! I should back up. I’ve been working my way through several weeks of pre-work in preparation for a Certified High Performance Coach™ training that I’ll be completing by the end of November. During one training session we studied the importance of fitness and nutrition for peak performance and high energy. We learned the benefits of cold water and having cold showers. Since I don’t feel right teaching a curriculum I’m not following, I took the plunge! I’ve been ending each shower with a minute on the coldest setting that I can handle. And guess what? It’s not as terrible as I thought AND you reap the rewards of a boost of intense energy!

This morning I was tempted to skip the cold setting. I had just completed a fantastic 5km run and the hot water felt so good. I literally thought to myself, “just keep it cozy” and immediately stopped myself and said “Nikki, cozy won’t cut it”.

And isn’t that true! In life cozy will not take you to the next level. Being comfortable will not change your life circumstances. Now more than ever we’re craving comfort in a crazy world, I get it. The weather has changed here in Ontario and it feels chilly and all I want to do is be comfortable but I know it won’t change me.

It got me thinking, how many of us are holding back our true potential on who we could be because we want to be cozy?

• You don’t post on social media because people may criticize you but then people won’t hear your message.
• You don’t confront that employee’s behaviour because you will rock the boat but then you will not help that person grow into the person they were meant to be.
• You don’t share your vulnerabilities with others because it will expose your weaknesses but then you will lose out on connecting with the right people at a deep level.
• You don’t say “YES” to that speaking engagement because you’re not ready but then that one entrepreneur who desperately needs your message will remain lost.
• You don’t speak up in the team meeting because you’re worried others may think your idea is stupid but then what if your idea changes the trajectory of the business for the better?
• You don’t leave that toxic relationship because it will mean uprooting your entire life. But what if you miss who you were meant to be in a relationship with that astounds you every day?
• You don’t speak your truth and stand for what’s right in order to keep the peace but what if you die quietly inside each day because you’re living incongruent with your values?

I’ve done most of the above and I know that comfort won’t change you. Courage is a muscle that needs constant work and stepping outside of your comfort zone will develop that muscle. Will it be uncomfortable? Yes! Will it be worth it? Absolutely!

Have you ever faced the cozy vs. courageous dilemma? Share your thoughts below!