Free Birds United

Fear of flying?

Here’s the thing about staying in our comfort zone: it doesn’t get us anywhere.  Sure, there’s security but there’s also no chance of discovery either.  How can we soar to new heights if we’re scared to take that first step?  If we were birds, our first flight from the nest would be instinctive, a result of developmental changes in our neuromuscular systems rather than prodding from our mothers.

According to Wikipedia:

“One’s comfort zone refers to the set of environments and behaviors with which one is comfortable, without creating a sense of risk.

To step out of the comfort zone raises the anxiety level engendering a stress response, the result of which is an enhanced level of concentration and focus.”

Of course, there’s all sorts of tips to get you in a changing frame-of-mind and to lessen the anxiety that goes with change:

•  Take small steps
•  Try something new (wear something new, eat something new, drive a new way home, think NEW!)
•  Make a new friend
•  Take a friend with you
•  Educate yourself
•  Think positive thoughts
•  Make a plan

The Free Birds recently challenged each other to do a little stepping out.  For one shy bird, some on-line self-promotion was encouraged.  For another, we suggested she investigate other resources to market her wares.  For this bird, I may be landing a new business opportunity.  While I have the unbridled support and encouragement of my potential business partners, I struggle with the fear-factor.  Fear of flying?  Perhaps.

Last week, the flock hosted its first guest speaker who generously and enthusiastically shared her story of redirection and re-education.  After a career and a masters degree in the unrelated field of publication design, this chick changed course and is now pursuing a Doctorate of Natural Health. For her, it just seemed the natural thing to do.

For the rest of us, who are just trying to keep pace with technological advances within our industries, the need for continuing education is clear.  In the words of my late mother:  “What are you a dummy?  You don’t want to learn?”  Take a class, call a friend, google a question to the virtual universe….the information you need is out there.

I have become a huge fan and ardent student of the on-line instructional series lynda.com. For a monthly ($25) or yearly ($250) subscription fee, one can access about a trillion different self-paced software training tutorials as well as a selection of FREE courses.

I have been enlightened (or simply acquainted) with topics ranging from:

HTML CODING ESSENTIALS to

CREATING MAIL LISTS & LABELS IN MICROSOFT WORD to

EXPORTING EXCEL CHARTS TO INDESIGN to

PORTRAIT RETOUCHING TECHNIQUES IN PHOTOSHOP.

This distance learning system works for me.  I can start and stop, go back, take notes, go back, go back, go back til I get it.

The founder of lynda.com, Lynda Weinman, is also an inspiring example of a successful free bird who continues to soar to new heights. Here’s her common-sense advice to the aspiring entrepreneur:

“Stick to your core competencies – don’t just start a business to make money or leave a job you don’t like. Find your passion. Follow it, and the universe will open!”

Check out this short interview with Lynda Weinman on WomenandBiz.com, an e-Magazine dedicated to the woman-owned business.

To see Lynda live, check out this video of Lynda Weinman:  The lynda.com Story on lynda.com. And for all you birds trying to make ends meet, this video lesson is FREE.