September 3, 2013
- by Don
First Steps
Ok, I admit it, I’m guilty.
My clients come to me frustrated with technology, knowing they need to make better use of this tool, but avoiding it because it’s uncomfortable. I teach them tips and techniques and how to overcome common pitfalls. But the true comfort comes when they actually try it out and put it to use. Repeated use builds more comfort.
It’s much like when my son was learning his multiplication tables. He felt like it was a waste of time to go over them again, and again, and again. Yet that’s part of the process — you have to do it enough that the brain becomes comfortable with it. If you do it enough, it becomes ingrained, and you can recall it instantly.
So what does this have to do with me? Well, I’ve been avoiding the whole “social media” thing — you know, blog posts, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Why? Well, as an introvert with an engineering background, being social doesn’t always come naturally. I’m reminded of an old joke:
Q: How can you tell an extroverted engineer?
There are actually two different punchlines to this joke:
A1: Extroverted engineer?
A2: An introverted engineer looks at his shoes when he talks to you. An extroverted engineer looks at your shows when he talks to you.
[Don’t get me wrong — I have immense respect for engineers. But the very things that sometimes make them (us?) look quirky are the same traits that enable them to create fantastic new stuff. Like all the technology we use today. But I digress…]
As a business owner, I know it’s time to step up and take on a new phase of my business. So even though it’s not really comfortable, I’m just going to “suck it up and do it.” And who knows? I bet that over time it gets more and more comfortable.
So what’s holding you back? Are you avoiding doing something because it requires you to step out of your comfort zone? Please share it below.
But don’t stop there. To borrow words from Nike commercials, maybe it’s time to “just do it!”
My clients come to me frustrated with technology, knowing they need to make better use of this tool, but avoiding it because it’s uncomfortable. I teach them tips and techniques and how to overcome common pitfalls. But the true comfort comes when they actually try it out and put it to use. Repeated use builds more comfort.
It’s much like when my son was learning his multiplication tables. He felt like it was a waste of time to go over them again, and again, and again. Yet that’s part of the process — you have to do it enough that the brain becomes comfortable with it. If you do it enough, it becomes ingrained, and you can recall it instantly.
So what does this have to do with me? Well, I’ve been avoiding the whole “social media” thing — you know, blog posts, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Why? Well, as an introvert with an engineering background, being social doesn’t always come naturally. I’m reminded of an old joke:
Q: How can you tell an extroverted engineer?
There are actually two different punchlines to this joke:
A1: Extroverted engineer?
A2: An introverted engineer looks at his shoes when he talks to you. An extroverted engineer looks at your shows when he talks to you.
[Don’t get me wrong — I have immense respect for engineers. But the very things that sometimes make them (us?) look quirky are the same traits that enable them to create fantastic new stuff. Like all the technology we use today. But I digress…]
As a business owner, I know it’s time to step up and take on a new phase of my business. So even though it’s not really comfortable, I’m just going to “suck it up and do it.” And who knows? I bet that over time it gets more and more comfortable.
So what’s holding you back? Are you avoiding doing something because it requires you to step out of your comfort zone? Please share it below.
But don’t stop there. To borrow words from Nike commercials, maybe it’s time to “just do it!”
