I recently read that “a person’s success in life can usually be measured by the amount of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.” Most people begin a new exercise or other routine in the New Year which can have you feeling sore or out of sorts, and doing this with our patterns of interaction and communication can reap rewards as well.  Like any muscle, growth happens outside of your comfort zone.

Maybe that conversation needs to be with your boss, that contact for your dream gig, your partner, a parent, your neighbor, that cute guy/girl you’ve been eyeing, that celebrity you’d love to talk with, or just putting yourself in a foreign social situation.   But it’s also that honest conversation you need to have with yourself in order to face the reality about your life as it is versus how you’d like it to be; because the one common denominator in your life is YOU, and taking responsibility for why it is the way it is is paramount, if not always pleasant.

The good news is that if you do have a chat with yourself on a regular basis then you can know what changes you need to make to get your life closer to your ideal!

Not quite feeling it?  I say ‘fake it till you make it.’ I’ve also quoted Einstein’s definition in a past post that ‘insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results’ so if things aren’t going your way, why not try a slightly different approach from your usual m.o.? Or you can go whole hog and be like  George Costanza in the Seinfeld episode where he does the exact opposite of what he would normally do, to some hilarious effects and success!

So this year resolve to have those challenging conversations, care less about what people think, try new things without worrying if you’ll look foolish, stand out in a crowd, and be okay with not being perfect. (well, those were some of mine…just insert whatever makes you uncomfortable)

Wondering how to get from here to there? Give me a buzz and I’ll be your personal trainer to stretch those inner muscles, help you have that heart to heart with yourself and make your discomfort as comfortable as possible along the way!

Click here for my 2011 New Year’s Coaching Kick-off!