Sherri Shackelford: Dare to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Congratulations to Cheryl on seven years of blogging! One of my favorite things about Cheryl has always been her willingness to experiment with digital media. She’s fearless in her writing, and fearless in her life. 

She taught herself wordpress and blogger and she gives classes on the subject.  For over seven years she’s kept her blog fresh and interesting. She’s not afraid of experimenting and we could all learn a little something from Cheryl about courage!

In two weeks I’m traveling to the Romance Writers of America convention in Anaheim and my hair has already started falling out. (Turns out, my hair falls out when I’m nervous.) Without my family in tow, I’m not a good traveler.

I obsess about what I’ll wear, I stage my suitcase, and I generally act like a crazy person. And that’s an improvement for me! I used to be really obsessive.

In 2008 I attended my first (and so far *only*) RWA convention. I remember resting in the hotel room while fantasizing about taking a cab to the airport and getting right back on that plane and going home – on the first night. I forced myself to stay, and each day got a little better.

I met some wonderful people, and I learned a lot about the business. Over the years I’ve made a point of pushing myself farther and farther outside of my comfort zone.  For a lot of people, fear of the unknown can be paralyzing: What if I make a mistake? What if I say the wrong thing?

The people who excel at their craft and in life are the people like Cheryl – people who are willing to make mistakes, and say the wrong thing – and do better the next time. When we refuse to challenge ourselves, our worlds shrink.

In order to conquer big things – like traveling across the country – I try little things first. I build up my tolerance by visiting the customer service counter. I used to hang onto clothes that didn’t fit or had a flaw because I feared a negative encounter with the sales associate. I don’t like confrontation. Unfortunately, in life, there are times when it’s unavoidable. By practicing on little things, it makes the big things a whole lot easier.

This week – be like Cheryl. Try something you’ve tried before, do something you’ve never done before, and challenge yourself beyond your comfort zone. Then stand back and watch your world expand!

One person who comments today will be able to read Sherri's book on their Kindle!

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A wife and mother of three, Sherri's hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, "Why did I just come in here?" A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul. Her debut novel, Winning the Widow's Heart, is now available! She loves to hear from readers: sherrishackelford@gmail.com

Come friend me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/sherri.shackelford   

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