LAST PART OF SERIES…
From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that keep someone from pushing out of their comfort zone?
It’s your decisions, not your conditions, that determine your trajectory. Making the decisions is the challenge. We get in our own way of getting out of our comfort zone. We aren’t strong enough in our comfort zone. We need our inner circle. Our belief system is challenged by all the negativity around us. We need to feed our minds with positive leadership. It is as simple as reading leadership materials to better our programming and get through the fear of a comfort zone. Put positivity into our heads, which will lead to better decisions.
There is a well-known quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that says, “Do something that scares you every day”. What exactly does this mean to you? Is there inherent value in doing something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, even if it does not relate to personal or professional growth? For example, if one is uncomfortable about walking alone at night should they purposely push themselves to do it often for the sake of going beyond their comfort zone? Can you please explain what you mean?
I decided I was going to do a marathon walk as part of a fundraiser in our community. It wasn’t going to help my personal or professional growth directly. I had to commit to the training. I had to get through the psychological aspects of a 26-mile walk. I did it on my own. There was no side bet or competition among friends. Just me and my feet. It was quite a journey. I’ve done other similar things, but they were another way of pushing myself. It was certainly scary to make that leap, like the time I did a 60-mile bicycling fundraiser. I’m almost to the point of seeking out those things that will take me out of my comfort zone.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I am about faith and family. Being an “I” DISC personality, influence and inspiration are part of my soul. That is John Maxwell’s definition of leadership. I’m on a mission to revolutionize company culture and leadership. My movement would be to make work a part of life and not a burden of life. I want the workplace to be one of meaningful engagements. I want employees to constructively talk and share about politics and religion, without the fear of retribution or bullying. That same concept needs to be taken into the home. There is a place for screens and social media, but not at the expense of family and faith.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
It would definitely be John Maxwell. When I first heard him speak, I knew he was real. At age 70, he wasn’t letting up. He also honestly got emotional about leadership training he and the Maxwell team were doing in central America and the Caribbean. They were training leaders to be leaders who in turn were training their country’s next leaders. I would certainly need to be prepared. John has shared how when he had the chance to meet with John Wooden, he read numerous books (which I have done) and had five pages of questions for him. He was prepared. As I reflect, I knew nothing of John before Live2Lead and now he means the world to me. Plus, being part of his team has allowed me to stretch my own wings and build my business the way I want to do it.
How can our readers follow you online?
I post regularly on LinkedIn and Facebook. I have a podcast with a friend of mine, Aaron J. Marx, called Crushin’ Company Culture. I write on my website (www.toddkuckkahn.com) blog (but you know that!). I also tinker in Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.