Newfeeling day

Get a Newfeeling

On our fridge we have a postcard with the following question on it, a question I’d invite you to reflect on yourself:

'When was the last time you did something for the first time?'

Can you remember what it was? And when it was?

More importantly, can you remember what it felt like doing that new thing? Maybe it was exciting, thrilling, mixed emotions with a bit of apprehension, or even downright fear? This experience of doing something new, of doing something outside of your comfort zone often creates a range of emotions within us. Sometimes we avoid doing these things because we connect these emotions with words like ‘fear’, ‘uncertainty’, ‘apprehension’.

Rather than being held back from doing something new, something tough, or something you have been putting off for a long time because it was easier to stay in your comfort zone, one of the strategies suggested by Thought Leader Marty Wilson, is for us to change how we talk to ourselves about this new event.

Change the language and you change the feeling.

You see Marty Wilson is a stand up comic. As a comic does, they face nerves and worries each before they go on stage. Rather than talk about being ‘sh#t scared’ (as Marty so eloquently puts it) he started to re-label the feeling of nerves or apprehension to him experiencing a ‘new feeling’.

By changing the language he was able to better accept this response and still go out and deliver a great set. Marty’s eagerness to encourage individuals to step outside of their comfort zones has lead him to be the founder of “Newfeeling Day”.

“Newfeeling Day” was held on 1st September. I realise that we are sending this out after this date, but I passionately feel that it is an invaluable reminder of how important it is to be stretching yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, and making sure that your language is not the one and only thing that is holding you back.

Get a newfeeling and maybe when you are next asked ‘when was the last time you did something for the first time’ your answer will be 'Just this morning'!!

Take the plunge,

Darren & Alison