"It's a little too much", he said. "Well, what if you were to do this, how does that feel to you?", I asked. "That's not really enough. I wouldn't feel challenged", he replied. "What would put you right in the middle of a little too much and not enough?" He laughed and found the perfect place and space for himself. We were talking about connecting with potential clients and how to move forward with a particular individual.
Most people are familiar with the childhood story of Goldilocks and the three bears. If you aren't or need a reminder -
A little girl named Goldilocks, (for her beautiful blonde curly hair), went for a walk in the woods and came upon a house. She knocked but no one answered so she went in. She was hungry and tried the porridge on the table - one was too hot, one was too cold, the third was just right so she ate it all up. Then she was getting a little tired so she went into the living room and saw three chairs. Two were too big, and one was just right. She sat in it but it broke into pieces. Then she was getting really tired and decided to go upstairs. She tried out the beds. One was too hard, one was too soft and the third was just right so she fell asleep on it. In the meantime, the bears came home and noticed the porridge gone, the broken chair and found Goldilocks in the bed. She woke up and ran away screaming and never returned. For a more detailed version of the story - follow this link - http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/goldilocks_story.htm
I direct my yoga students on the Goldilocks philosophy. "Take the pose to the place where you feel it, but not so much that you cross the line to feeling pain. If you are breathing through your mouth you are working too hard. Not too hard, not too soft - just right."
I share with my coaching clients and encourage those listening to me at speaking events when I present on risk taking. "What level of risk taking are you comfortable with? What is your risk taking goal? What would you have to do to push yourself just a little bit beyond your comfort zone to make that goal a reality?"
If we stay too comfortable and don't challenge ourselves we may never reach the place we want to be. If we push too hard we may end up exhausted. overwhelmed and quit too early. Find the place that is JUST RIGHT for you. Here's to your success!