Growth lives outside the comfort zone

We all want growth.
Freedom. More money. More peace.
But most of us won’t get uncomfortable long enough to earn it.

I learned this in 2005 when I quit a government job one year in.
It came with better benefits, a pay raise, remote work, a corner office.
To everyone else, it looked like success.
To me, it felt like a slow death.

I Wanted More Than Comfort — I Wanted Ownership

I didn’t want to play it safe in a job that couldn’t scale.
I didn’t want to build someone else’s system.
I wanted to own my time, not just trade it.

So I walked away.
And I walked straight into the unknown.

In 2006, I partnered on a franchise in a field I knew nothing about — home care.
No experience. No roadmap. No guarantee.
Just a vision, a little faith, and a lot of discomfort.

Fast Forward

Today, those offices have ranked in the Top 3 out of 400+ locations.
I run them from a different state.
And now I’m building new businesses, launching my personal brand, and helping others own their story too.

But here’s the truth:
None of it happened inside my comfort zone.

5 Ways I Stay Uncomfortable (on Purpose)

1. Get in Front of the Camera

I used to hate video.
Now I use it to sharpen my message and grow my brand.
Being seen is uncomfortable — but it’s required.

2. Read (or Listen) to One Book a Month

If you don’t have time to sit and read, use Audible.
Growth isn’t just about hustle.
It’s about expanding your mindset — daily.

3. Disconnect Often

You can’t build clarity when your phone is running your life.
Cut off social media when it’s not serving you.
Silence is where your real voice gets louder.

4. Talk to Strangers

Whether it’s a cold call, a new pitch, or a random intro —
starting conversations builds courage.
It kills the fear of rejection.
And that confidence leaks into every room you walk in.

5. Chase Discomfort

Growth isn’t loud.
It’s inconvenient.
Comfort is the enemy of creativity.

When you put pressure on yourself, you stretch.
And that stretch becomes a new standard.

Final Thought

You don’t get freedom without friction.
You don’t get ownership without risk.
You don’t get a new life by playing it safe in your old one.

Discomfort is the price.
But the reward is worth it.