Stepping outside ‘the box’ in approaching ’big’ things in  life such as love – or job hunting/career changes – health & wealth creation – can seem so daunting and hence, that’s why the majority of us simply DON’T.  And I’m not discluding myself from this majority, either.  Part of the inspiration here for this blog is to share with you that when I have, immediate results came – and miraculously.   Am I consistent with this approach – absolutely not.  But it sure as heck inspires me to step out again and again out of my comfort zone as I look at both my past and my current reality – what’s worked –  and where I want to go being who I want to be. We all have our ‘growth edge’ – coaches too – and that’s why coaches need coaches and CEO’s need coaches.

What’s interesting is that in Timothy Ferriss’ book, The 4 Hour Work Week, which I’m currently reading, he talks about not just thinking outside the box but ACTING outside the box.  I read that this morning, and then during my workout at the gym this morning (so painful in this gorgeous heat wave in SF currently, but necessary…) I saw a segment on the Today show about job hunting in the New Economy and the dire importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Whether you’re job hunting or relationship hunting (or looking to create new and impactful results in ANY area of your life such as those mentioned at the start of this post) - results lie in doing it differently.   BE-ING different than you’ve been, and ACTING differently than you have.  As humans we’re creatures of habit, as we all know.  So, it’s important to ‘scare yourself’ – do those actions and that thinking that has you feeling a little out of ‘control’ and also a little *mischievous*.  Yes, mischievous.  With yourself.  See, when you act, think and BE ‘different’ than you’ve been, it can feel thrillingly mischievous, because what you’re doing is busting out of your own box and breaking your own rules.

For example, after a year+ out of corporate work, with my apartment in storage, a failed relationship left in Toronto where I had been playing but not earning or saving -  and,  a uncomfortable bed at my parents – I needed a J-O-B – and fast!  But I wanted to switch industries, AND I didn’t want to take a pay cut for doing so. In fact, I wanted to make more money than I ever had before (I’m sure you can relate).  I interviewed for a great opportunity - and I was intent on getting it.   How could I set myself apart from the competition?   An idea popped in to my head as I wrote a thank you note:  send the note with a roll of scotch tape.  It felt slightly OUT THERE to me.   Why the tape?   The gentleman – and my future bosses boss – that I had just interviewed with, had played with a piece of scotch tape as we talked and apologized to me , saying it was a bad but necessary habit of his. I felt a little mischievous sending the tape -but it worked (and he later coo-berated that it worked). I got the job and earned more than I ever had before, in a new industry. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, and how to be mischievous in love…

From my savvy heart to yours ~

Leslie

www.BeLoveSavvy.com

Tags: acting outside the box, career changes, inspiration for change, interviewing, Leslie Stewart, life coach, love, motivation, The 4 Hour Work Week

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 at 9:43 am and is filed under Are You Love Savvy?, Inspiration, What I am Reading Now. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.