I just returned from a short vacation with my children, Grant and Katie. We choose a city the kids haven’t been to each summer and go explore for four or five days. This year, we chose Denver, or the Denver area. We stayed in an AirBnB between Denver and Boulder. We spent a day in Golden, Colorado as well. Plus we drove up into the Rockies one day … so it was far more than just Denver.

Now, I have been to Denver a few times in my life, as well as Salt Lake City. I even drove from there to Logan, Utah once. So I’ve seen the Rocky Mountains up close before, but I had never really gotten off the main roads and explored. 

Last Monday, the kids and I spent the morning in Boulder, walking up and down Pearl Street. After lunch we headed west out of town up into the Rockies. If you’ve never done so, you should. The majesty of these enormous formations is humbling. 

About halfway up the first mountain, we pulled off to hike up to Boulder Falls. Now, for those of you who are familiar, I realize the word “hike” is relative. It’s only about a 200-yard walk on a gravel path down off the road, then up the side of the valley so you can peak around the bend and see the waterfall full on. 

But for those of you who aren’t familiar with me, let’s just say I’m not a hiker. In fact, I had back surgery a month ago, so even the task of walking up the rocks 200 yards was risky. I’m admittedly not active … and horrifically out of shape. But I wanted to do this for and with my kids, so I jumped out of my comfort zone and made the trek.

It might have been the most important thing I’ve done in years.

Standing there on the side of a Rocky Mountain valley, admiring the natural beauty of powerful rushing water that carved out an escape out of the hills to the babbling brook below, feeling the cool mountain wind on my slightly sunburned face, and watching the wonder and joy in my children’s eyes as they, too saw this amazing little slice of heaven, I felt an overwhelming sense of both gratitude and disappointment.

I was grateful I chose to step outside my comfort zone. I was disappointed I had waited so long to do so.

The rest of our trip I spent contemplating the opportunities I’d passed up just wanting to not be uncomfortable. And from a physical health standpoint, how the 49 years of wanting to be comfortable has made me just the opposite. I joke about my weight and laugh it off in masterful self-effacement. But I’m now uncomfortable being me. 

It’s time to get out of my comfort zone in other ways. 

Today on Winfluence, I’m going to share with you what getting out of your comfort zone can mean for you. Whether you’re a business owner hoping to leverage influence marketing, an agency or service provider helping other businesses do the same, or a creator or influencer yourself. 

We’re going to instigate some change. We’re going to make ourselves uncomfortable. But trust me, when you do so … it’s worth it.

This episode of Winfluence is presented by Tagger, a complete influence marketing software solution. Check them out for a demo today at jason.online/tagger.

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