Hi everyone, and a very happy February to you!

I’m delighted to be finally sitting down with my cuppa to write to you in my next blog :o)

Over the past weeks I’ve noticed a theme of `pushing myself out of my comfort zone’, and its felt great! It’s been a conscious effort, to stretch myself and take a few risks, seek new opportunities, to `put myself out there’ and develop my business.

I’m a great believer in “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” and pride myself on being a positive person who can seek and adapt to change.

In my last blog I shared my experiences in taking a step back, giving myself time to think and to reconsider how I need to be working and planning to make progress (http://kcsunshine.co.uk/planning-better-results). I do believe this was a catalyst to making a few enhancements, which whet my appetite to seek ways to stretch myself more…

As you know, I’m a coach, facilitator and trainer. I love what I do and believe I do this well – but `selling myself’ is a whole new skills set!

However, I realised that there are a number of transferable skills across coaching, facilitating, training and selling – including building relationships, communicating and influencing, which link so well to `people buy people’, a key ethos for my business. So I took the plunge to start exhibiting, and to put my hat in the ring for a `meet the buyer’ event, and dip my toe into new waters!

So what’s been the impact of pushing myself out of my comfort zone? Well it’s given me a boost in motivation and confidence, more excitement and stretch, and it’s generated further business opportunities. It’s also allowed me to feel brave, which has been so inspiring.

I’d really encourage you to consider what you can do to `dip your toe’ into something new, challenging and exciting for you, and push yourself out of your comfort zone this month, and notice any changes for you. I love the expression `where the magic happens’.

It’s important to stress that we are all indeed different, so what one person might feel is comfortable, and another finds exciting and risky, will vary.

I created my first video clip this week to include in this blog, such good timing to illustrate pushing myself out of my comfort zone! I intend to make and share more of these :o)

This clip talks about the wonderful Bird Table Group which I’m delighted to be part of, and if you would like to find out more please do call me on 07764 942531 or e-mail me on Karen.chamberlain@kcsunshine.co.uk.

Finally, every evening in 2015, I’ve been writing a journal to capture `three good things that have happened to me each day’, that have made me smile, happy and/or proud (I’ve done this before, for a few days, but never for a while month).

I have LOVED it! As the days went by, I found myself searching for my journal, so keen to write down my latest entries. It’s given me a much valued opportunity to stop, think and consider all the good stuff that’s happened, and also what I’ve been doing to influence that, and it’s made me smile – and consider what I’d like more of….

What else can I do to enjoy what I do, stretch myself, make a difference, or have fun? What are the precious memories I’m capturing with my loved ones? How can I continue to gain a better home and work life balance?

It’s also given me time to think and reflect on the more challenging and unexpected curveballs, and give them some perspective, because there will be those tougher moments too.

This month I will continue pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and do something every week that stretches me that bit further, and I look forward to enjoying some more magic :o)

I would love to hear your `pushing yourself out of your comfort zone’ experiences too, so please share!

Thank you for reading, and for your ongoing support.

If you’d like to talk further about any aspect of my blog, please do get in touch on 07764 942531 or Karen.chamberlain@kcsunshine.co.uk.

Best wishes

Karen

Coach, Facilitator and Trainer, and Director of KC Learning & Development