When it comes to dealing with our most vexing stepfamily problems, hanging out in our comfort zones seems like the least stressful option.
It’s easier to just leave that “sleeping lion” alone.
You probably think you’re handling the issues as best you can.
Just the thought of questioning that assumption gives you anxiety.
You might think that if you look too closely at the problems, all the irritations and annoyances will set your nerves on edge.
This agitation may cause you to think you have take action or do something now, even though a big part of you really doesn’t want to go there.
Maybe it’s time to:
- Have a difficult conversation.
- Drop long held expectations.
- Set boundaries that you never wanted to create in the first place.
- Start or stop a certain behavior that you’ve postponed addressing.
So, you let the sleeping lion slumber on.
Who wants to kick a sleeping lion and risk attack?
Of course it feels threatening when your comfort zones becomes uncomfortable.
Who knows what chaos, pain and destruction you might unleash if you disturb your comfort zone?
But, inevitably, there comes a time when your comfort zone grows uncomfortable.
When languishing in your comfort zone becomes the bigger problem.
Here’s what you begin to recognize:
- The problem is getting worse and the situation has become unacceptable.
- Your feelings of discomfort, frustration, resentment or anger are growing more insistent. You can’t not listen to them any longer.
- You’re done with the status quo. It’s not serving you any longer.
- You’re finally ready to make a change. Perhaps you’re feeling some mixture of fear and excitement.
- You’re fed up with waiting for someone else to change and you’re ready to take matters into your own hands.
You have decided that you’re willing to risk all the discomfort of trying to regain control of an out-of-control situation more than you are worried about the repercussions from taking action.
What to do next when your comfort zone becomes uncomfortable.
Always remember that circumstances are neutral.
No matter what the circumstances may be, until you have thoughts about it, it is neither positive nor negative.
When you assign values, judgements, opinions to any circumstance, those thoughts create your feelings/emotions.
Those dynamic emotions drive our behavior, our actions, inactions or reactions.
The sum total of all our behaviors creates our results in life.
Check out Problem Solving 101 blog post for guidance in identifying your circumstances, thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
You get to decide if they’re giving you the results you want or if you are ready to make changes.
Want personalized help tackling your “sleeping lions?”
Maybe you’re not sure where to begin.
Are you debating whether you should disturb the slumbering beast at all?
Let’s talk more about it. Click right here to set up your FREE Strategy Call with me.
No matter what’s going on, I’ve got you.
