I used to live in Auckland New Zealand in the 1951 - 1967 and, there was hardly a sunny day that I didn’t take advantage of the weather by taking a run on the beach, at the water’s edge.

It was one of my favorite activities and I made quite a habit of it. Walkman, (iPods weren’t even IN yet) running shoes, were a rarity but I had some.

Even on days that I didn’t feel like running, I still put on my running shoes and within minutes into my workout, I’d be enjoying the action as I sped down the shoreline.

Well, after living in Australia for almost 3 years, I returned to New Zealand met a young lady, who became my wife Anne and I wound up moving to Epsom Auckland right beside the famous Mt.Eden.

Now, instead of exercising on the beach, I was running up the mountain in the mornings, where ground was much steeper and the air was much thinner and the oxygen much harder to come by.

Needless to say, this change put me way out of my comfort zone and I found myself many times during a workout, unlike before, gasping for air.

At first, I didn’t even want to workout, because of how difficult it was to breathe. I even thought I was going to have a heart attack on a few occassions because of how fast my heart was pounding just minutes into my exercise.

However, since I worked for an insurance company and wanted to be an example to my clients, I realized that if I wanted to stay in shape and continue on my quest for great health and fitness, that I’d have to do the uncomfortable until it became comfortable.

Little by little, with progressive increments in time and intensity, I increased my workouts until my body became more and more accustom to the conditions.

Some days, this was accomplished by just going for 30 seconds or one minute more than the day before. Now I must say the view from the Top was fabulous and especially on a warm summers morning and this was an inspiration to continue my runs.

Day in and day out, I’d continue to run, sometimes I would even go to the gym, And I began to lift weights at the gym. Not My favourite activity at all but…

Eventually, my body began to adjust and I was able to workout at full speed and capacity. My lungs were expanded and my heart much stronger now, from all the exercise I put them through.

Over the next year, I had the opportunity to enter a running event at a local beach where I used to run many years before and sure enough, I laced up my running shoes and took my place at the starting line ..On your marks ..Get ready ..Set..GO!!!And off down the beach I ran and fro the first time in 5 years…..Zoommmmmmmmmmm

It was at that moment, on my first run during that event, that I realized Success Principle #9.

You see, running on the beach after running for almost a year up that steep mountain above sea-level, made it so much easier, truly a piece of cake.

I felt faster, stronger and much less winded.

So, what I discovered about success during this particular run, is that by living outside of your comfort zone and working harder under less favorable conditions, you will flourish more than ever under more favorable conditions.

In other words, by living on the edge, outside of your comfort zone, you expand your success zone and can create a much more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

This applies to EVERY area of your business, your success and your life.

So, Success Principle #9 states, that “Your Comfort Zone, is also, Your Failure Zone”!

So, by expanding your comfort zone, you will move towards much more success.

Constantly challenging yourself and living outside of your comfort zone is the key that unlocks all of your potential.

After all, without challenge, there would be no growth.

And without growth, there would be no progress. And without progress, there would be no results and ultimately, no real long term success.

So, either you live outside your comfort zone, creating games that are not easy for you to win, or…you will find yourself in your failure zone, going backwards and losing ground on all your progress.

So, to wrap up Success Principle #9, you must continue to do the things that others find boring and uncomfortable.

And, by doing the things today, that others WON’T do, you will be able to do the things tomorrow, that others CAN’T do.

OK, be sure to take new action this week, outside of your comfort zone.

I will posting Success Principle #9 Soon.

Until then, I will see YOU at the Top!

Axel

www,axlhenriksen.com

This entry was posted on Monday, November 26th, 2007 at 6:48 pm and is filed under Millionaire Mindset, Health, Entreprenuership, Mental, Axel Henriksen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.