Tag: #newjob

That is where the magic happens

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Words and photo by Fiona Whitehead
Words based on an interview with Victoria

Victoria steps out of her comfort zone a lot. Ranging from big things to small things. We chatted about some of her experiences. 

Seven and a half years ago she moved from the UK to Australia with her husband and their baby. “I guess it was a huge risk because we both had good jobs [and] we owned two homes in the UK, so we could quite easily have just stayed where we were. But we weren’t 100% happy with life and the lifestyle that we had.” 

Their attitude was “Just give it a go. Just try it. What’s the worst that can happen? You move back to the UK and it was hard.” 

Victoria is not a thrill seeker, or an adrenaline junkie, but she feels it is important to step out of her comfort zone in order to learn and grow. 

She also spoke to me about moving out of a role and company she loved, a place where she was very comfortable. “Then Kloud came along and talked about [all this] new technology … and the culture just sounded amazing. 

‘’I thought ‘well I’ve been doing my nice job for a while I could stay doing my nice job or I can take a risk and go through that whole setting yourself up again in a new company’ … I thought about it for maybe half a day and then I’m like ‘Yeah let’s do it, jump in.’” 

“Why did I jump in? Part of me was thinking about the future and future proofing. Technology is changing. And if you don’t change you get left behind. Yeah, I don’t want to do that. 

“Part of it was about changing. And part of it was about getting to try a new culture. Kloud, although being part of Telstra, it still has its own little micro culture, which is still very much like a start-up or a small new company. So, the to get the opportunity to be a part of that culture as well was enticing for me. Being able to use the experience that I gained elsewhere and bring that to Kloud … then develop it in a slightly different way, that was probably the reason why I did it. I just am a firm believer that we have to grow, we have to develop … otherwise you’re not growing you’re dying.” 

Victoria gets through her ‘out of the comfort zone’ feelings (which include feeling sick to the stomach!) with lots of self-coaching. “There’s a lot of reminding yourself what is the outcome that you want to achieve? Why am I doing this? What do I want to learn? Who do I want to meet [at monthly meetings which include networking]? You know that every time I do it, I do it for a reason. I don’t do it just for the thrill because I don’t look for the thrill. But I’ll do it to learn something.” 

Victoria doesn’t forget what she left behind when she stepped out of her comfort zone either “What I’ve also done is I’ve made a conscious effort to still stay in touch with people I used to work with, so I haven’t lost them. I think it’s good to not be too gung ho all the time, but also look back and appreciate the things that have taken you along the way, [things] that you’ve done along the way. Don’t take them for granted and just sort of stay in touch with people and stuff like that.” 

And Victoria’s last words? 

“Everything I do I do with an intent. I started a new business with the intention of building a better future for my family. I moved a country with the intention of making a better life for me and my family and move jobs with a view to improve my employment, and prospective future and to challenge myself … have a reason why you’re doing it and have faith in your ability to do it. 

“Always push yourself outside your comfort zone every day, because each time you do it’s like a muscle. Each time you put yourself outside your comfort zone, it gets a little easier and you grow a bit more and you learn a bit more. And you just develop as a human in all areas of your life. If you are scared, if you stay in the safe zone, nothing ever changes. 

Do it all the time, every day as much as you can get outside of your comfort zone. Because that is where the magic happens.” 

A bit about Victoria: 

Victoria is an experienced Service Delivery Manager with 20 years in the IT industry. Primarily, this experience is across the Financial Services industry however, Victoria has also supported clients within the Media, Oil and Legal sectors and understands the nuances between industries. 

Two for the price of One

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Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Words by Fiona Whitehead based on an interview with Andrew

Andrew shared with me two experiences of stepping out of his comfort zone. In an inception like move one was contributing to my blog! 

The common theme I noticed in Andrews experiences is that he plans. I personally find planning a great way to get out of my comfort zone too. Something about controlling what you can I think. 

Anyway, back to Andrew’s stories. 

His first example was taking the opportunity to act in a higher position at work. He took the opportunity as it was great for his career development, and has now done it on numerous occasions. After initial excitement about the chance to show that he could do the role, Andrew ‘’soon changed to feeling anxious and nervous about not having the skills to do the role adequately and the sense and fear of failure kicked in. I was thinking ‘I can’t do this. I am not capable; do I have what it takes?’” 

Andrew’s next steps were to “seek support and set out a plan so I wouldn’t fail’’. This included speaking with mentors, reading as much as he could and trusting his existing skills and knowledge. 

And the result?  Success! 

‘’The outcome in the end was I found this experience to be challenging but at the same time I learnt so much from the experience both personally and professionally. For me stepping out of my comfort zone does not come naturally but when I reflect back on experiences that required me to do so they are generally always beneficial.’’ 

I see similarities to Nolle’s ‘Valley of Despair’ in Andrews story.  

And then to our story about the story.  

‘’Being a naturally introverted person it is certainly out of my comfort zone to put myself out there and express myself in a public forum about my insecurities and or weaknesses. But when I read the post for this I thought why not…… I volunteered to partake in the blog because I am not a strong writer and felt it would help with self-reflection and my development as a leader in Telstra.’’ 

Once Andrew had volunteered I sent him an email with my interview questions, which triggered ‘’oh no what am I going to write about and how is it going to be perceived?’’ thoughts. 

Once again Andrew started with a plan. Some pencilled ideas, a plan on how he was going to attack the challenge and just started. ‘’ Sometimes just getting making a start is all it takes, then the ideas start to flow. I think this goes for anything in life getting started is the hardest thing whether that’s at work on a new project, fitness program or a New Year resolution.’’ 

I will let Andrew have the last words, they capture his experience (and I think those of many others) well: 

”When I look back on both of these experiences I feel a sense relief (that I survived) and satisfaction at being able to complete something that required me to “Step Outside My Comfort Zone”. 

”It is not always a positive experience when you step out of your comfort zone but I think there are always valuable learnings taken from all these experience whether it is positive or negative. I think there will be many more occasions in the future where I step out of my comfort zone, it probably occurs every day at work with a something as simple as a difficult conversation with a colleague or customer. 

”If someone is hesitating at stepping outside their comfort zone (something big or small) I would say jump at it and enjoy the challenge. You will certainly look back on it and think wow did I actually do that.” 

Thanks Andrew. 

A bit about Andrew: 

* I am Andrew Morgan a Field Technician in Nth NSW Tamworth Team 

* I have been in Telstra since 2014 starting as a trainee. 

* Since joining Telstra I have been fortunate to do relief work as the NBN ROS 

* I am currently participating in the Step into Leadership Program 

* I recently completed an Adv Dip Business Leadership and Management 

* I have a keen interest in Change Management 

* Lastly, I follow the AFL and I barrack for the Mighty Hawks!! 

The Valley of Despair

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Photo by Mario Álvarez on Unsplash

Words by Fiona Whitehead based on an interview with Nolle

When I spoke to Nolle about a time she stepped out of her comfort zone professionally, her story was something I could really relate to – that moment when you move from being a team member to being a team leader within the same team!

Nolle spoke about there being many different examples of professionally stepping out of your comfort zone, but this one stood out for her. ‘’It’s a great compliment and it’s a great achievement, pay off for all your hard work but it also brings a lot of anxiety because where people were your friends and confided in you … they can become a little bit guarded. And it’s hard for human beings because they still want to be liked. It’s fundamental in our nature to still be liked. And when the dynamic changes … [it] can’t be the same … and the thing that you learn about stepping outside your comfort zone in that environment is that you can’t operate the way you would have previously.”

Next Nolle passed on to me something she learned from a mentor, the “Valley of Despair”. This I have experienced many times, I imagine you have too!

The Valley of Despair starts with the excitement of a new position or role. “This is fantastic”. This is the top of the valley. Then the time comes for you to start the role, and the doubts kick in. “I hope I can do this” which leads to you realising just how much you have to learn and you start going down the slope into the valley. You start thinking ‘’oh my god, is this is too much for me?. I don’t know if I can do it.” In addition, you are in the situation of managing people who were once your peers, so you are rebuilding relationships too.

In Nolle’s words “This is where some people check out and say ‘this is not for me’ or ‘I can’t do this’. But what happens is that if you can give yourself the time … be a bit easy with yourself and understand that this is what always happens with change. So then you start to get to know what you’re doing, start to establish relationships with people around you, start to get your self-belief back again, and start to learn the new systems, processes,  then you start to make that role your own. So you’re coming back up the other side of the valley, and then when you kick a couple of goals, whether the low hanging fruit or you think you’re getting the job done, you get feedback from your one up or two up, then you start to see you’re climbing right back up to the top of the valley.’’

What Nolle loves is that this pattern repeats every time she steps out of her comfort zone. When you know it is coming you can deal with it. ‘’It’s going to be a bit tough for a while, but then I’m going to be okay.”

And why does Nolle step out of her comfort zone?

“Well, I was always career hungry.  I think that’s because I grew up in Ireland where we didn’t have many opportunities, where I left school and went straight into full time work …  I was forever trying to prove to myself if I am I good enough … As I’ve got older and wiser, I think instead of trying to prove something to yourself … we have to ask ourselves what do we really want?”

As discussed with Nolle, professional risks tend to be more public and failure more frightening than risks in your personal life. She believes it is important to have goals, and that stepping out of your comfort zone is often needed to achieve those goals.

I found Nolle’s description of the Valley of Despair really helpful, I know I have experienced it often without having this great image to refer to. Next time I will know that the tough times will pass!

A bit about Nolle:
Currently working as a Business Partner Principal in the Transformation Delivery Office at Telstra.
Background:
Having worked in IT & Business roles spanning over 2 decades in Australia in various different sectors including Health, Media, Technology & Telecommunications
Working primarily  in the project and program space, moving into leadership and management roles and over the last few years into partnership and engagement roles
Moving to Australia at 23, married with 5 children (blended family) loving life and all that it brings 🙂