Ok, so those that follow my tweets will know yesterday evening I took a pretty big challenge for me and did a tandem parachute jump.
- At 13 I wouldn’t stand on a chair for the height.
- I have progressively through the years, thanks to Physics teacher Fred Flintstone (nickname), used the progressive load principle (worthy of a blog itself) to conquer it.
- I have made excuses for 4 years on how to avoid this final step.
- I am a control freak.
Therefore, I did it. It was a night jump at Caloundra landing on Kings Beach, and frankly was AWESOME!
To me it was a significant moment. I had to let someone else be in control, let them take my life in their hands, and handle all of the emotions and thoughts, and a skyscraper full of fear before being flung into a dark and cool evening and just buzzing to the ground.
Not sure I have stopped buzzing yet.
So the obvious post heading is ‘leaping out of my comfort zone‘.
I did. Leaving the ground was bad enough but when the door opened in the little Cessna and the wind roared in and we had to backwards crab to the door then twist on to a ledge, I am not sure I was on the same planet as any of my comfort zones.
However, 2009 is going to be a year of doing and Getting Stuff Done. And it will mean (watch out close folks) many people near me will have their comfort zones challenged.
Life is about growing.
So where does Social Media fit in?
Wherever you use Social Networking tools, you are exposing yourself to other people. We as people tend to associate in likeminded groups and find acquaintances and colleagues that we feel comfortable around / with or in some instances who challenge us.
When you start interacting in any form of social space most people tend to hug closely to their comfort groups. Occasionally they meet through numerous circumstances new people and assimilate them into their groups / circle. These groups remain tight though and new comers find it hard to be part of the group.
Ask anyone who has been recently divorced or broken up form a long relationship about how hard it is to expand your social groups.
So while networking online, remember to break down your comfort zones. Do not be one of those who count your followers as some sort of ‘Bed post notch’ but fail to try to have a conversation with them to see how they might expand your life.
An old but good quote:
If you always do what you have always done; you will always get the same results!
In business networking groups, if no new members join and become integral to the group, normally the group ends up “drinking its own bath water” and goes stale.
If life is about growing, and breaking out of comfort zones is an important part of stretching and growing then you need to use your Social Media Tools to meet and engage with people you would not normally engage with.
Don’t just hang with your clique! Speak to people!
You never know who you might meet!
Moreover, if you haven’t jumped out of a perfectly good plane – consider it as a goal for 2009 – it is AWESOME.
You’ll be speaking to crowds of 20,000 next!
Well done that is a fantastic achievement no wonder you were buzzing.
And you are right about social media scene, at the moment I am seeing more and more people that are beinging to view social media, in particular twitter as a numbers game and not engaging in conversations. As you know I am a true believer when it comes to the power of social media to connect and reconnect with people. It is about getting out of your comfort zone doing things that you would not otherwise do and haivng fun.
I’m impressed! But why night time? Only ever heard of this activity in the daytime! You’ll have to go back and do it again in daylight to get the “other side of the coin”. or NOT………..
I know TBor who owns the drop zone there – been skydiving for a number of years myself and had a laugh as I still remember those first feelings (was afraid of heights myself)- was on a high for about a week could not get the stupid smile off my face.
This year (end of 2008 / beginning 2009) I learned how to ride a motor bike at the age of 47 and that was a learning curve and a half and still learnign and practising.
I have done a lot of adrenalin things – but nothing compares to the first jump out of a plane – well done.
Awesome job, I am still getting the courage up, especially as I sit at Moffats and watch them come in!!!
Loved the quote about always doing the same, really time to get out of the comfort zone!
Second granddaughter born two days ago, all well,certainly times of new beginnings!
Would love to catchup, and again really awesome on achieving the jump!!!
Well done. Now if you can only do it with your eyes open!
I can put you on the path to a few other courses, the summary of which is ‘what goes up must come down’.
I thought your biggest adventure was Newcastle Browns at The Cook!
Impressed – The Challenge Begins!
Hi, thanks so much for that post I agree – I started a mini-mantra for myself last year – everytime I came up against something I’d tell myself “come on – live outside the zone”. More and more I’m purposely doing things I don’t feel comfortable doing. Of course I’m still often stopped – but i’m getting there. My new saying (no idea where I came up with it) is I’m not coming back – ie. this is my only time on this earth so gonna have a go now – cause “i’m not coming back!”