It's not about your comfort

Scott Couchenour July 13, 2021

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Comfort is a dead-end street.

As you become the fullest expression of your unique, God-given design (aka become excellent), you will find yourself in "the zone." I call that your Zone Of Excellence (ZOE). The idea is to get as close to the center of this zone as possible for an atomic impact for good in your world.

But the center of the zone is not synonymous with what you and I know as the "comfort zone."

In the ZOE, you are pursuing excellence with an open, or outward, mindset. In the comfort zone, you are pursing excellence with a closed, or inward, mindset. With ZOE, it's about adding value to others. With comfort, it's all about you.

To help understand the difference in these mindsets, I point you to the incredible work by the Arbinger Institute. They define an outward mindset as, "seeing others as people who matter like you do. You take into account their needs, challenges, and objectives. And you focus on collective results."

Please understand that your pursuit to the center of your Zone Of Excellence is not a journey to your comfort zone. On the contrary, one of the hallmarks of an excellent person is how great an impact he/she is having on their sphere of influence. Having a great impact leads to a great legacy where the improvement of others' lives continues long after you've passed on.

Therefore, your mindset is the key to the difference between excellence versus comfort.

Action step

• Find a populated place.
• Find a bench to sit on.
• Observe people. Every person you notice, think to yourself, "That person is priceless. They are a bundle of passion, personality, and proficiency. They can, in fact, make an incredible difference in others' lives."

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Scott Couchenour has a combined 30 years of experience in ministry, business and entrepreneurship. He has the perspective any leader needs to grow further in their personal and professional life. Scott served as COO and CEO for a national multi-million dollar family-owned business. He has served in his local church as worship leader and various leadership positions. He serves as Trustee on the Nazarene Foundation Board, the Nazarene Theological Seminary Board, and Harmony Village Board. Learn More »

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