In the last few weeks, I have spent quite a lot of time outside my comfort zone. Why? Because my working life used to be, in the main, quite straightforward. I networked, I worked on strategy, I implemented new processes and systems. Occasionally, I would be outside my comfort zone because I was doing something new, but I like spending a bit of time outside my comfort zone, as long as there is foundation of ‘business as usual’.
But all that changed in March. I, along with most of the population had to:
- come to terms with meeting people using Zoom and other similar platforms,
- practice looking at the camera rather than looking at people so you end up looking slightly unfocussed,
- learn how to deal with the gap between saying I wasleaving a meeting and then actually leaving a meeting having found the right button to click on.
So when that became easier I became a bit more adventurous. I took part in my first podcast[GC1] , I did my first virtual presentation and I chaired my own less formal meetings, rather than other people doing all the techy bits. I started to study some new social media platforms and realised how little of the language used I understood.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like that adrenalin surge you get when you are nervous. But the last few weeks it has felt like I couldn’t see my comfort zone even if I had binoculars! So, two weeks ago I attended my first virtual international conference and used my very rusty German. Last week I chaired my first formal business meeting and was in charge of the system. Scary! And to finish the week I recorded my ‘Business chat’ with a colleague which I then uploaded to my new YouTube channel…did I mention that I also set up a YouTube channel?
I’m sure that these new adventures will become normal so I’m planning more adventures. I’m organising a virtual Christmas networking event for members and, if successful, I will be arranging some regular afternoon networking events, starting in the new year. I’m also looking at opening Groups outside of our current area. All are making me nervous…but that’s becoming business as usual!
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Well done Glenys, I’m sure it’s more the fear of technology than anything else that bothers us professionally (unless you’re a tech wizard!) I got in a right tizz the other day as I couldn’t screen share, when with my director, I’d done it numerous times before, felt so good a couple of days later when neither could he. Turns out you have do it differently as we’ve gone over to a new system, who knew….
Thank you, you are absolutely right