Getting out of the comfort zone Published March 25, 2009 By Senior Master Sgt. Doug Olsen 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Together, we had 33 years cumulatively in the Air Force; we were active visible leaders in our unit and wing, and we were the commander's "go-to" guys for our personnel and the mission, yet a fellow Senior NCO and I were face to face with a colonel telling us to "Get off the bench and get in the game!" It's been a little over four years since that day, yet I still reflect on that moment and the colonel's words. We hadn't become complacent or lazy; we had simply fallen into our comfort zones respectively and hadn't taken the time to notice. We had become stagnant. Getting out of our comfort zone is essential to personal development, but ultimately it is vital to the overall success of the mission. One of the most exhilarating and humbling perks of being a Senior NCO is watching someone challenge him or herself and observing growth, sometimes gradually, sometimes quickly. We facilitate the maturing process by presenting opportunities to our up and coming Airmen. At the same time and at all levels, we must accept those opportunities offered to us. It may not be fun or glorious, but with every opportunity, we learn and we grow. Throughout our careers, there's a strong temptation to repeat what we know worked before; however, doing something new and challenging allows us to improve ourselves while increasing the enjoyment and quality of the task at hand. To improve our lives, whether personal or professional, you must push yourself to think outside the box, to look at life from both sides, and all those other cliché phrases. In some cases, this could mean taking the lead on a project or community event. It could mean giving that presentation or narrating at the next Commander's Call. Or it could be something bigger, like stepping out of your career to be a PME instructor or a first sergeant. The things that prevent us from opening that door when opportunity is knocking are seemingly endless. Our learned habits or behaviors, fears, the limits we place on ourselves, and the blame we place on external sources, are only a few of the multiple factors (or excuses) keeping us confined within our comfort zone. We may look the other way or live with what we know, perhaps to avoid potential humiliation or to hide our perceived flaws from others. Sometimes, we need a little push from a peer or colonel to force us to leave our zone. It is at these times that often we experience the most growth. When considering an opportunity, ask yourself these questions: 1. What do you already know? 2. What resources, support, buy-in do you have (and still need)? 3. What's your intention and who's the intended audience? 4. What or who is your opposition? 5. What's missing? 6. How will you know if you've been successful? 7. What's honestly holding you back? 8. What if...? It's a challenge to leave our comfort zone, but some amazing opportunities are waiting for you, you just have to want to help yourself. To quote Einstein, "We can't solve our problems with the same level of thinking that got us there. Something has to give if you really want change." So...I now pass on the guidance a colonel gave a couple SNCO's...Get off the bench and get in the game!