“Do one thing a day that scares you.”

This is the cliché we’ve all scrolled past on Pinterest or Instagram. It’s easy to think of this as something like skydiving or swimming with sharks, but the meaning behind this short phrase is not limited to crazy adventures. We are all presented frequently with opportunities that are outside our comfort zones that can lead us in the journey towards personal growth.

Have you ever been in a situation that made you feel apprehensive? Maybe it didn’t “scare” you, but it made you feel a bit on edge. Maybe it was a group project meeting for a topic you were not knowledgeable about or an introduction to a new group of people by a common friend. Each of us can feel intimidated in different situations we encounter in life. Whether it’s the presentation you give to the class at the end of the semester or simply trying to make pleasant conversation with a new acquaintance, everyone faces challenges.

The incredible thing is that you have the power to choose confidence even when presented with uncomfortable circumstances. When facing a new situation, one in which you cannot predict the outcome, remind yourself that you are strong and capable of handling whatever comes your way. Know who you are, know what you believe and have faith in your own abilities. Remember that you are worthy of success and capable of enduring failure because there is no person more powerful than a woman who knows who she is and wears it proudly.

It is natural to fear the unknown. The unchartered territory that reaches beyond our daily routine is where our strengths lie. It is human nature to feel apprehension when pursuing a challenge that could have a range of outcomes. “Will I fail?” “Will they like me?” “What am I getting myself into?” How do we know we will succeed? We don’t. There is no safe bet. But as confident women, we must know we are capable of whatever we set our minds to do and, no matter the result, we are strong enough to pick up the pieces.

When you breach the edge of comfort and step outside the realm of safety, you expose yourself to something greater. New situations teach you more about who you are, and some of the most powerful life lessons come from failure. It is in these moments that we see what exactly we are made of and truly start to grow.

As author John Green shares, “What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?”

Gretchen Seeling
Leadership Development Consultant