Seth Godin’s 2012 book, The Icarus Deception isn’t one of my favorites. That said, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t still have some wonderful points worth listening too.
On pp. 68-69 of my copy, Seth explains that each of us has to confront our own “line in the sand” between where we are comfortable and where opportunity may lie. The line, as he writes, “is an essential tool–it grounds us and gives us the leverage to figure out where to go next (and helps us get there.” However, it can also be a convenient way to hide from the harder path to success.
He shares about an encounter with a client. After some discussion about options, she proclaimed that what he was proposing as the path to a new level of success was outside of her comfort zone. Seth’s response was excellent and something you need to consider as you think about your own next steps.
It’s what we wrestle with every single day. The intersection of comfort, danger, and safety. The balancing act between vulnerability and shame. The opportunity (or the risk) to do art. The willingness to take responsibility for caring enough to make a difference and to have a point of view. Moving your comfort zone when the safety zone changes isn’t easy, but it’s better than being a victim.”
Yes! Life, if lived well, is CONSTANTLY bumping into this line between what is safe to you and where new opportunity is. Maybe your issue is food, weight and general health. Where you feel comfortable simply isn’t good for you, but to change is hard; it requires risk and effort. Maybe your situation is that you need some new education or new certification. That will require time and cost.
Often, we just want to play the victim. I see this in both my students and the others with whom I work. It’s easier to blame others than make changes. Passing the class is challenging? Study longer hours…which means perhaps less sleep, telling another person you can no longer do what they want you to do, or even making less money (which perhaps means going without cable, without a cell phone, without a car).
Step over the line…and embrace the wildness of a life risked. As Twain suggested…life in the harbor is much safer, but you will regret it later. Be bold and sail out into the unknown.