Why Are Tiger Woods, Oprah, and Bill Gates Uncomfortable?
June 1st, 2009 Posted in Leadership, Newsletter
They are uncomfortable because they are the best at what they do…and the best are never comfortable with where they are. Why? Because they have a burning desire to improve and grow and this naturally creates a healthy discomfort.
Most people think that the best live a life of blissful ease and bask in the glow of their success but that is not the case. Rather the best are always thinking of ways they can take their “game” to the next level and they’re always pushing themselves out of their comfort zone.
You can do the same. You just have to be willing to be uncomfortable. You have to stop retreating to the safety and comfort of the status quo. You have to embrace change and uncertainty. You have to see yourself as a work in progress, an unfinished master piece that is still being shaped and molded. And you have to give yourself permission to fail as strive to be your best. It’s a process and it’s not always fun but it’s worth it.
Are you willing to be uncomfortable? What steps will you take to move beyond your comfort zone. Share your thoughts here.
Stay Positive!
- Jon
P.S. If you have trouble pushing yourself out of your comfort zone find a coach to help you. Great coaches push people out of their comfort zone and help them reach beyond their self created limitations.
Article from June 1, 2009 Newsletter:
http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-060109-uncomfortable.html
Tags: bill gates, jon gordon, oprah, success, tiger woods, uncomfortable
19 Responses to “Why Are Tiger Woods, Oprah, and Bill Gates Uncomfortable?”
By Thomas R. Fennell on Jun 1, 2009
Dear Jon, thank you for reminding us of something important, you are assisting in making creation better.
By Pamela Lewis on Jun 1, 2009
My business is design. I’m never truly satisfied with my work…always pushing and striving to make it all better. However, the push comes in my personal situation. I’m always looking for a way to expand, grow, move. I read, collect information, put it to work. I’ve found education to be a fire-lighter for me.
By Sheila Sardinha on Jun 1, 2009
I am an Independent Rep for a leading Jewelry company, with a Team of Reps in my downline. YES, Working Outside Your Comfort Zone is where it’s at. STTREECH that Waistband!
A suggestion, to add some fun to our monthly meetings, we hold a Working Outside Your Comfort Zone Challenge. The meeting room is filled with festive colorful balloons. In each balloon is a ‘Challenge’. Reps pop the helium balloons, containing a Challenge inside. It is read & confirmed that they will agree to take this challenge on within the upcoming Month & agree to report back to the group about their experience.
The meetings as a whole are continually sharing on why and how to effectively take on these challenges. Hearing from your fellow Reps each month as they Work Outside Their Comfort Zone is very helpful to the Rep completing the Challenge, feeling accomplished, usually experiencing heightened success, and eager to take on the next challenge. The fellow Reps at the meeting are also energized by the experience, learn, & encourages them to share in that Challenge.
By Eileen on Jun 1, 2009
Very intersting…I heard a similar message yesterdsay @ church. The message was taken from II Kings 7:3-4. The lepers were willing to go beyond their “comfort zone” and were able to walk into the future that God had already prepared for them. Thanks for the reminder!
By Marie-Josee Salvas on Jun 1, 2009
It’s all about mindset. Researcher Carol Dewck discovered that there are basically 2 mindsets when it comes to learning: fixed or growth.
Those with a fixed mindset think their ability level is pre-determined, and therefore don’t seek to develop it (ex: I’m good with numbers but a terrible public speaker - that’s how I was born and that’s how it will always be). They are threatened by mistakes because it is a prof that they don’t have “enough” ability. As a result, they very much stay within their comfort zone and aren’t motivated to exert too much effort.
Those with a growth mindset are all about development. They are OK outside their comfort zone because they know that only in this zone will their learn and improve themselves. They seek opportunities to stretch their capacities and take more risks. They practice, take critique, seek opportunities to learn and go practice some more. And they improve their performance as a result of their dedication.
So Jon, what you are describing is that people who are at the top of their discipline tend to have a growth mindset. Tiger is a great example - he’s not the best golfer because of sheer talent; he’s the best golfer because he is most focused and practiced the longest. Growth mindset.
And yes, great suggestion Jon, coaches can teach the growth mindset. It is a thinking skill that can be learned.
MarieJ
By Tom DeMaio on Jun 1, 2009
Hey Jon, very relevant newsletter topic
today. I believe that one of the roles of
teachers, trainers, coaches, consultants,
etc. is to make their students/clients
uncomfortable about the status quo.
The government entitlement programs that
are designed to make people happy with the
status quo are detrimental to capitalism…Tom
By Thomas R. Fennell on Jun 1, 2009
Dear Sheila,thank you for sharing, that is a great idea. When I use it should I give you credit.
By John Howe on Jun 1, 2009
I am voluntarily transitioning from newspaper business to a new career, something I planned to do when I started down this path 32 years ago. I am leaving at the peak of my career because I want a shot at something new and different. It is unsettling to start out in search of opportunities, but willingness to change gives you the chance to look for doors that are open rather than live in fear of those that are closing. Time is opportunity.
By Jim Horth on Jun 1, 2009
I have sent a link to this video to the largest group of friends ever - just thought I’d share the message I sent with it (anyone may feel free to copy):
Message from Jim:
I was thinking while watching this video, how great it would be to share this with everyone in our lives who might be struggling – with health issues, financial worries, graduates facing the unknown, or any others in a multitude of life challenges. And I decided, wouldn’t it be great, too, if I knew a bunch of people who could share it with others in need of a gentle reminder that someone is supporting them and believing in them.
Yeah, I thought you’d have someone you could share it with.
http://www.jongordon.com/ibelieveinyou.html
By Jim Lathren on Jun 1, 2009
Jon,
I do leadership development full time. I think a leader’s primary role is to help people find their full potential. And, to do it for themself. Only when people enter that area of new, challenging, anxious, sometimes stressful work do they begin to push the envelope of potential. But, you can only do this with high performers. With average or below average employees, leaders wotk at getting them better at what they already do.
By Venessa Smith on Jun 1, 2009
I’m never comfortable in my career because I am a teacher. Good teachers should never be comfortable until every child in American of age level can read, not until every parent is willing to invest in their own or someone elses child and not until we build and reform more schools than we do prisons.
By anna on Jun 1, 2009
57 years old, teaching for 33 years, want to do something else as I grow old, I always knew what direction I was going, now I have no clue.
Anna
By Michel on Jun 1, 2009
Thanks for the push to keep me going on my journey to return to school to become a nurse. Ungrad was 20+ years ago so I definitely have some trepidations about returning to school but I know in the end I’ll be really glad I did it. Thanks for all your encouragement and positive thoughts. They really keep me going!
By Char on Jun 2, 2009
I am very shy but a devoted and determined Project Coordinator of United We Mentor. I get things done quietly. I have organized Project Backpack for our non-profit mentoring organization in LA County, CA. I have written letters, gone to stores, and to the local Chamber of Commerce Meetings asking for donations. I interviewed teachers so I would be able to create a standardized list of school supplies. I wanted all the new back packs to have the same school supplies. So far I have received donations to purchase 100 backpacks and the school supplies to fill them. We are just getting started. My deadline is July 17, 2009. I am very excited, we have many low income and underserved children in our community who need basic school supplies and backpacks to be successful in the education! Our community members who support us are Heroes!
By GP on Jun 2, 2009
I have always felt that I was supposed to be doing something different than my present career. I have always had a desire to help other women and believed that all of the trials and tribulation I have gone through was to prepare me for just that. However, I let fear hold me back from becoming what I belive God wanted me to be. I have decided to go to coaching school and become a life coach. I am still afraid. The class is expensive, but I really believe that this is what I should be doing. I know for sure that it is outside of my comfort zone, but if I stay where I am, I will die with my talent and gifts unused.
By chi hair straightener on Jun 19, 2009
The difference between Tiger and all the other average golfers is that no matter how good or bad he plays he wants to get better.
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