Yes, that is yours truly! I stepped out of my comfort zone on my trip to Bali last month.
Not being a strong swimmer, just the boat ride to this location was unnerving. My husband and I had no idea what to expect.
I think if we had considered this more fully and knew what to expect we might have chickened out or just avoid the whole experience altogether.
Our adult children were amazed when we sent them these photos; they claimed they had no idea their parents were as adventurous. Sometimes things happen in our lives that pull us out of our comfort zone. Though difficult, and uncomfortable to start, the experience lends us a new perspective on life and one we can share with others. I think conflict is one of those things.
As a Conflict Analyst, I have spent 20 years working with teams, groups, and organizations to move past their objections with each other and step outside the conflict bounds to embrace change and work collaboratively. As a Coach, I have to do the same thing when working with individuals, so they can move past a conflict behaviour pattern, by creating awareness of the impact and ramification it is having on their work or life relationship.
When asked if I would go sea-walking again, my answer is yes. Now that I know what to expect, I have a new and different appreciation of the experience. I think of things I would have done differently. I would have stayed under longer; I would not have been so anxious, I would have tried harder to touch the fish and embrace the experience.
In my book: Hurt, Upset, Angry, Frustrated? I help the reader get behind the lenses and gain a different perspective of a conflict, by understanding how our biology makes us prone to conflict and examine the controversy between biology and social expectations. I want my reader to be less uncomfortable, anxious and unnerved by their conflict experience, leaving their wits about them to think of better strategies to resolve their particular conflict.
We had a video made of our sea walking underwater experience and each time I look at it I see times where I could have been more relaxed to enjoy the experience more. I see missed opportunities to explore my surroundings, and I think if only I could have been more informed about what to expect I would make different choices.
(Come to my interactive book signing at McNally Robinson this Sunday at 2 pm to view the entire video).
Everyone of us will have an uncomfortable situation with conflict. What do you need to know to help you cope better with a current or future conflict? Pick up a copy of my book here to get some tips.
To Your Wellness
Joyce