Chair Corner with Laurie Hitze

I hope everyone has had a great summer so far. We are just weeks away from the students returning to campus! As I mentioned last month, I am very proud of our Purdue students. So many students are traveling away from home for their first time. College is a whole new world with experiences and opportunities for students. My youngest will start as a freshman this year at Purdue. As a parent and an employee, I am excited for the freshmen to discover everything that makes Purdue special. These young people are taking a huge leap out of their comfort zone to become Boilermakers.

What can we learn from these young people? We can take a few lessons to help us consider new activities outside of our own comfort zone. By going outside of our comfort zone, we may experience fear but ultimately, we can use the opportunity to learn and grow. Personal growth is hard to achieve unless we challenge ourselves. We must take risks that will push us to that next level. Staying in our comfort zone doesn’t allow for much excitement or growth.

Since I have been on my own for the last few years, I have taken that opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone. I love to travel and explore new places. At first, this was a challenge for me to do alone – I had to get out of my comfort zone. I started to explore the map and decide on new places that I could explore. I started closer to home and eventually broadened my circle. Eventually, I was able to travel far and wide by myself without fear. Fear: that is what holds us back too often. Fear of the unknown. Fear of being independent. Fear of failure. The fear zone is where we need to move past. Don’t make excuses about why you can’t. Don’t worry about what others think. Examine your self-confidence. What is really keeping you from taking that leap out of your comfort zone?

Start with small steps outside of your comfort zone. These are opportunities you can learn from – the learning zone. Define your goal. Make a plan. You can prepare yourself by making plans for your next leap. By planning, you prepare your mind for what may be expected. Examine what skills or steps you might need to be successful. Anticipate what challenges or problems you may encounter. Don’t be afraid to try something new. If it doesn’t work out perfectly – it is okay. Take those opportunities and learn from them. What can you do differently next time? How can you better prepare? Do you need to acquire new skills or adjust your plan? Unless you take those first steps outside of your comfort zone – you will never know. With success you gain self-confidence. Soon, you will be able to extend your comfort zone into new opportunities.

Once you have overcome the fear zone and learning zone, you have the opportunity to grow. That self-confidence you gained can be utilized to try the next big leap. Hopefully, you can begin to set new goals to build upon. What have you always wanted to do? Make plans to achieve that goal. You have developed skills needed to succeed. Build that path – make it a reality.

Overcoming your fears and taking on challenges can be helpful in your personal or professional life. Take your moments of struggle and realize that they make you who you are today, they make you stronger, and they make you more resilient.

Are you nervous but want to try anyway?

Are you scared but want to try anyway?

Are you anxious but want to try anyway?

Being nervous, scared and anxious may be overwhelming, but if you still want to do it – that makes you very brave. Allow that bravery to rule! Take a leap!

Boiler Up!

Laurie Hitze