I very rarely watch TV, and when I do it’s not to watch reality shows or similar. But this video from So You Think You Can Dance stopped and made me think (and thanks to my wife for the heads-up).
The Asian contestant, Alex Wong, is a ballet dancer. Yet for his challenge, he had to do a hip-hop routine with all-star hip-hop dancer Twitch. Something completely out of Alex’s comfort zone, but as you can see from the video and crowd/judges reaction, he nailed it. He took a chance, knew what had to be done, and nailed it.
Now think of you and your business, and how this can relate to you.
Comfort zones are funny things. On the one hand, they keep us safe because we don’t expect any surprises. On the other, they stunt our growth because they keep us safe.
Staying within our comfort zone means we don’t have to worry about taking chances; we’ve found our niche and success level and we’re happy to stick to it. That’s fine, and if you just need a certain level of success to achieve the results you first started your business for, then comfort zones will absolutely work for you.
But if you’re looking to really push your business buttons and stand out in your niche or industry, comfort zones will only take you so far. The real success only comes from taking risks.
Push yourself mentally and creatively. Look at everyday things and see how you can take that to the next level. See beyond the simple.
There’ll be a lot of stumbles along the way, and it won’t be easy to take off your comforter blanket and take the steps into new directions. But think of it this way – your customers aren’t standing still. They’re always looking for the best for them, not just the best full stop.
Comfort zones might make you the best; but they don’t necessarily make you the best for your customers. There’s a difference – step outside your zone and you’ll have a better view of what that is.
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Twitter: mschechter
My wife makes me watch this show (read: I secretly LOVE this show) and am often amazed when dancers go completely out of their training and kill it. It really does show that when talent meets drive, potential is nearly unlimited. Thanks for the video, I missed this one! What humans can do is truly astounding sometimes, thanks for the mid-day amazement!
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Bang on, mate – “talent and drive”. You can get by on either one, but like you say, combine them and you can be unstoppable.
Twitter: ateegarden
Danny,
Outstanding message and well taken! Even more inspiring with the video. I actually got goosebumps when I saw him nail the routine.
I’ve taken some big risks in the past few messages with my personal brand (but more to be taken) and it’s really resonated not only within ME but with my readers.
I get what you’re saying and it’s timely for me.
Thanks!
Tony Teegarden´s most recent blog post …The My Guide to Building Your Inner Empire
Think we both shared the goosebump moment, Tony – perfect mix of sound and vision to tell an amazing story through risk. Something we can all learn from, methinks…
Twitter: timjahn
I actually saw this performance (as my wife and I watch So You Think You Can Dance) and we were both blown away. I was working out on the deck and my wife exclaimed through the open window, “You have to come see this!”
I thought it was awesome and then she said “He’s a BALLET dancer!” I thought it was even more awesome!
This is one reason I enjoy watching this show, as there’s something to really learn and experience from it. Yes, it can be trashy reality television at times. But it’s also art.
I’m not a dancer. I don’t know shit at dancing. And yet, every week, I’m in AWE of these people who make it happen so naturally.
Just goes to show that we can pretty much accomplish anything with belief, commitment, talent and a shitload of hard work, mate.
See, I told you it was awesome! Now if only I could get you to watch the Bachelorette with me. Think of all the fun Twitter comments you’ll be able to make if you’re “in the know”
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Twitter: MarketingbyDM
Danny,
Great analogy! It brings to mind exactly what some of us are attempting to instill into our clients regarding Social Media. They have managed to gravitate toward every stumbling block they can conceive which keeps them in their “comfort zone”. I like to refer to the 3 E’s….Energy, Excitement, Enthusiasm…when talking about pushing yourself to the next level. Can’t beat it!!
Sometimes I wonder if it’s because they feel they’re too late to the game and their competitors have already beaten them to the punch, Diane.
Thing is, it’s better being late and then coming in correcting the mistakes others have made for your approach, as opposed to not being anywhere near.
Twitter: askaaronlee
If I didn’t read your blog post and just saw him dancing I’ll be “what? he’s a ballet dancing? no way!” he nailed it!
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Twitter: markwschaefer
For me, the challenge is even knowing when you’re in the box.
I came across this touching story which illustrates this point. Sometimes when we’re in a certain structure for so long, you can’t even see the walls any more:
http://businessesgrow.com/2010/04/11/how-do-you-push-yourself-out-of-your-social-media-cage/
Mark W Schaefer´s most recent blog post …Thoughts on firing my customer
Fantastic post, mate. You’re right – conditioning can be a killer.
How’d the bear end up?
Twitter: EricUngs
This is spot on Danny!
This raises a question for me. I understand brands become satisfied or comfortable with the success they have reached so they do what they can to just maintain it; but if it’s just constantly being maintained and the brand stays at the same level is it still success? I think the success is when you reach that point.
For me, personally, I think to be successful you have to always be wanting to sail those uncharted waters and be uncomfortable. There will always be a bend in the road, but the road still goes on (song lyric, lol). This is what defines success.
For the brands that just maintain this level to remain at a comfortable level, props to them, they’re doing what they want to be doing. They’re content.
I wrote about this exact topic for my personal brand here: http://ericungs.com/2009/12/01/are-you-uncomfortable-with-your-personal-brand/
I love chatting about this. I think it’s important to feel uncomfortable.
Thanks Danny, for the write-up and video – haven’t seen it until now.
@EricUngs
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Great point, Eric. Some brands, businesses and individuals will be happy with a certain level; not everyone wants to, nor needs to, really push the envelope.
But for those that want to; then, yes, leaving the comfort zone is the only way to do that.
Twitter: ctmarcom
This is not a show I watch, but I’m so glad you shared it. Wow! Comfort zones are nice. We all have them. But we have a choice–stay in your comfort zone and be content or take a risk, step out of that zone and be happy. There’s a big difference there that only those who dare to step out of their comfort zone realize.
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Twitter: ctmarcom
Danny, did you see that Alex is now out of the competition? He tore his Achilles tendon and has to have surgery. I decided to take a peek at the show and saw him on crutches, wearing a shirt that said “I’m grateful.” He was devastated, but still grateful for the experience and all he’d learned. There’s another lesson in there for all of us.
–Coreen
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Twitter: ericdbrown
Great post Danny…the video of Alex dancing really knocked your point out of the park.
The comfort zone is one of the most dangerous zones to allow yourself to be in for long. Comfort creates laziness. Comfort creates ‘sameness’. Comfort keeps you where you are.
I find myself in many of my different comfort zones often and have to force myself to push out of those zones.
Thanks for the reminder to keep trying and pushing.
Eric D. Brown´s most recent blog post …Foto Friday – Barn Owl
“Laziness and sameness” – strange how often they’re so closely aligned, Eric…
Twitter: hightouchweb
Danny, another problem with comfort zones is that sometimes we don’t know when to get out of them.. It is like the definition of insanity…”You keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result”. I think this has been particularly true with the economy. We were all livin it up about 3 -4 years ago and then the shit hit the fan and all those things we were doing that were great were not so great but we kept doing them because it worked at the time. I know we have had to rethink our business several time to adjust to what the market will bare.
Great post.
I like your take on this, Kim – “You keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.”
Wonder if that has to do with the same kind of conditioning that Mark mentions above in his comment?
Twitter: gacconsultants
Yep, that was pretty cool Danny! Who wants to continue to be comfortable… time to break the dancin shoes out :p
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Twitter: stephenmurphey
While it’s hard to get outside of our comfort zones doing so always helps us grow (both our business and as individuals). One of my biggest fears has always been public speaking but the more I do it the more confident I become in all parts of my life. Added bonus this leads me to get out of my comfort zone even more.
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Speaking in front of people is a huge leap away from your comfort zone, for sure – like you say, conquer that and it pretty much sets you up to conquer anything.
One of my best friends, Susan Murphy, is a hugely accomplished speaker. Yet she would be the first to say that each time makes her as nervous as heck, but she just gets out there and gets it done. So yes, definitely a great way to build your confidence.
Twitter: barneyausten
Hello Danny. A great analogy as always
.
We all to remain aware of the fact that most of the time we do operate in our comfort zone so that we can encourage ourselves to get out of it an push the boundary.
Not as easy as it sounds though. I suspect i am not alone in the fact that when I know I need to go beyond what I’m doing that I don’t know where to start. It’s not just simply a question of saying “I must move beyond my comfort zone” – putting it into practice is what counts. For me, this is where getting a good mentor or two on board can really help.
Thanks for sharing dude.
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That first step is definitely the hardest, Barney. After that, you can just stumble along until you find your footing, and then the real fun can begin.
Twitter: 3keyscoach
Danny,
Sure Alex Wong is a ballet dancer but he is a dancer. He knows how to move his body so it’s a stretch that becomes possible. The thing with getting out of our comfort zone is we make it seem so foreign. Many of our stretches simply take our current skills and apply them in a different environment or with different methods. As Alex Wong knows he can use his body to move to music, we can trust that we already know how to do what seems risky.
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It’s a valid point, Elli. Although I’m not completely convinced someone that dances excellent ragtime can transfer that to hip-hop, or samba to ballet. Not saying it can’t be done; just not completely convinced.
But the point you make about knowing how to do what seems risky is true; the problem is, most folks have that knowledge worked out of them by repetition of comfort, and then forget they even had the knowledge to start with…
Twitter: runtzka
So glad I stumbled upon this post and your site. “Out of my comfort zone” has become my mantra. In fact, “learning social media, out of my job and comfort zone” is what I use as the subhead on my blog.
I started 2010 in despair, having lost my longtime job as a corporate communicator (and related identity) and turning 60. Then I began my deep dive into learning and applying social media, reawakening a passion for life that is now taking me in exciting new directions. I’m now engaged half-time to set up and be the voice of a Canadian business across several social media channels. Doing this on a shoestring means I have to learn and use the tools myself. That can drain my battery like nothing else! But the successes are so sweet. Taking this risk has also led to a renewed faith in people. I’ve discovered so many great and giving souls through these channels.
I’m a big fan of SYTYCD. I actually watched the episode you talked about twice, staying up till 2 a.m. so I could experience it again! I love being part of and celebrating the dancers’ journeys, albeit remotely.
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This is one super slick blog…
Times are changing!! We all should get out of our comfort zone. But really, what does it take to do it when we’re all facing uncertain times and financial doom and gloom??
It’s certainly is a pointed topic for both now and in the future:-)