As I’m jotting down these notes in my phone, I’m currently sitting in the car on Main Street in Sag Harbor, New York. My husband Sean just ran into the cafe to pick me up a hot chai latte.

It’s very cold today, about 22 or 23 degrees outside (that’s minus 8ish for my celsius friends), so it’s below freezing but still exquisitely beautiful here. I’m observing people walking on the street, clearly uncomfortable in the cold. And yet, there are smiles on people’s faces as they go from shop to shop chatting with friends and acclimatized to the temperature.

This got me thinking about how we often resist stepping outside of our comfort zones, and the rewards that can come from doing so.

I’ve seen this happen in my own life over the years.

  • When I left a 10-year toxic marriage with nothing but two suitcases, two children and over $30,000 worth of debt. Five years later I had my first million dollar year.
  • When we moved from Australia to America in 2015 with three children, three dogs, a few boxes and a large screen TV. In 2018, I manifested a New York literary agents and a quarter of a million dollar book deal.
  • When I recently postponed a webinar (despite so many people signing up) because the timing didn’t feel in alignment (yet). You can read the post here. Cancelling an event was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but my intuition was asking me to listen. I’m waiting to see what’s on the other side of this one.
  • When I said yes to learning the art of public speaking despite always feeling too shy/nervous to speak in public. This last one was the most terrifying by the way but I definitely overcame my fear when 80 Million people watched my Goalcast video. On the other side of this fear was confidence.However, this illustrates my next point…

The Universe responds to our bravery and willingness to push ourselves.

When we are willing to do the work and step outside of our comfort zone, magic can happen.

So back to Sag Habor, as I watch people hurrying along the sidewalk, huddled in their coats and scarves, I can’t help but think about how often we resist discomfort in our lives. We tend to stick to what we know, what feels safe and familiar. But what if we embraced discomfort instead of shying away from it?

Stepping outside of our comfort zones can lead to incredible growth and opportunities.

It can open doors we never knew existed and lead us to experiences we never thought possible. When we push ourselves to try new things, take risks, and face our fears, we often find that the rewards far outweigh the initial discomfort.

Think about the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone. Maybe it was trying a new hobby, speaking up in a meeting, or taking a leap of faith in your personal life. Whatever it was, I’m sure you can recall the sense of accomplishment and empowerment that came from pushing yourself beyond your limits.

The truth is, magic happens when we are willing to do the work and embrace discomfort.

It’s in those moments of uncertainty and fear that we discover our true potential and strength. The Universe responds to our bravery and determination, and rewards us in ways we never could have imagined.

So, the next time you find yourself hesitating to step outside of your comfort zone, remember that the magic happens when we push ourselves beyond what feels safe and familiar. Embrace discomfort, take risks, and watch as the Universe responds with endless possibilities.

With Love & Gratitude,

Sarah Prout.