Out of Your Comfort Zone

I am one of those people who prefer to sit in the back of the room.  Not only because I am tall, but also because I am not one to be comfortable being really “visible” or at the center of things – I’m more of an observer of people.  So when I was asked to do some public speaking a couple of years ago, I had to think really hard before I said yes.  And then, once I challenged myself because of the subject matter being so important and personal, I was determined to overcome my anxiety over the thought of public speaking.  

Originally I was going to speak at the hospital my mom worked at for many years to a group of health care professionals for a continuing education event.  The subject was organ donation and because of my family and my nursing background, the organization thought that our experience as the family members of an organ donor would be a helpful perspective, while at the same time honoring my mom where she was a respected I.C.U. nurse for many years before her retirement.  This photo is me; I wrote my entire story in one sitting, inspired by the peacefulness and memories at Carmel City Beach.  

When the day was close to approaching, I found out that the event had grown and moved to a new location:  I was going to be the last person to speak at Stanford Hospital in front over over 350 nurses, doctors, and others involved with organ donation in addition to organ donors and recipients who spoke before me.  I had no idea there would be so many people until I was escorted into the auditorium!  Obviously I was on a committed course and there was no room for the anxiety I was experiencing.  I laugh now….I was so scared I thought I had forgotten my reading glasses but in reality they were in my hand the entire time.  The good thing was that I was forced to only see a few words that kept me on track and I spoke more spontaneously without the ability to see what I had prepared.  I did it.  There I was, in the front of the room, and very visible.

I was so relieved that there were nurses who came up to me afterwards telling me how touched they were by our story.  I was so out of my comfort zone!  But I was pleased to feel that not only did I meet the challenge, I honored my mom, and I was able to make an impact on the health care providers to understand how their dedication and compassion affected the family members who have the difficult job of honoring their loved one’s wishes.  It is not an easy experience for anyone involved.  But so worthwhile.  

I did learn a lot.  I learned how the incentive of something important to you can bring out a challenge that you never before considered.  I learned how to prepare differently.  And I learned that once you step out of your comfort zone, it’s not so scary the next time.  

Where is your comfort zone?