Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone – Lessons from Two Competitions in Four Days

This past week, I found myself doing something I hadn’t done in a long time—competing. Not once, but twice in just four days. In two very different areas. Once was a local business competition taking place at the end of a course offered by the Council to local entrepreneurs. The other was a Karate Competition hosted by my local club.

Beyond the nerves, it was an eye-opening experience, one that reminded me of a powerful lesson once shared by great Yoga Masters, Rodney and Colleen Saidman Yee at the end of their London workshop: growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

As adults, we don’t often put ourselves in situations that make us feel vulnerable in this way. But children do it all the time—through tests, exams, performances, and sports. Being in these competitions helped me reconnect with that feeling, not just the stress of it, but also the deep sense of community and belonging that emerges when we face challenges together.

Lessons from the Experience:

Nerves are universal – Every single person I competed alongside, regardless of age or experience, felt nervous. It’s not just me, or you—it’s human.

Focus on the experience, not just the outcome – Rather than fixating on winning or losing, I tried to stay present, fully absorbing the moment. This shift in focus made the process so much more rewarding, and allowed the anxiety linked to the outcome to not add further pressure.

Resilience is built through action – The more we put ourselves in these situations, the better we learn to navigate stress. Avoiding challenges might feel safe, but it keeps our world small. Resilience to stress is built through exposure, just like getting better at exercise when you do it repeatedly.

Community is found in shared challenges – There was an incredible sense of camaraderie among those competing, not just through the sport but through our human experience, it brought us together. Not dissimilar after all to what we experience after a Yoga Workshop.

A Fresh Perspective on Children’s Challenges

This experience also gave me a deeper appreciation for what our children go through daily. Tests, exams, performances—these are their “competitions,” and they too feel the pressure. As educators, parents, and mentors, we must acknowledge their emotional experience, which inherently comes with a need to balance and soothe afterwards. Breathwork, mindfulness, movement—all the tools we teach in yoga—are just as essential in these moments as they are in adult life.

So, here’s my takeaway: keep pushing your edges, stay open to challenge, and remember that growth comes from expanding, not shrinking. Provide opportunity for growth by keeping trying new things and when your child feels challenged, remember what it feels like

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? I’d love to hear from your experience!

#GrowthMindset #SteppingOut #YogaForLife #Mindfulness #Resilience