Out of My Comfort Zone and Into My Stretch Zone: Saying YES
When I received the invitation to deliver the alumni address for the Geography & Environment graduating class at the London School of Economics (LSE) in December, my immediate reaction wasn’t excitement—it was doubt. Yes, I felt honoured. But alongside that was the voice in my head whispering: Why me? I’m not a public speaker. What if I completely mess it up? (With this exact emoji springing to mind 🙈).
Public speaking is something I’ve avoided for years. I had built up this story in my head that it wasn’t “my thing,” and that story had stuck. AKA—something I talk about daily in my coaching sessions: a limiting belief—a thought or assumption about yourself that holds you back.
The easy option would’ve been to say no, to politely thank them for the invitation, and retreat back into the safety of my comfort zone. But there was a small part of me that saw this as an opportunity. Even if it was just a tiny spark! I spend so much of my time helping others step out of their comfort zones, and I’d done the work myself in coaching training and through being coached. I knew firsthand what it felt like to work through limiting beliefs and come out stronger. This was my chance to practice what I preach—walk the talk!
In coaching, we often talk about the stretch zone. It’s the space just outside your comfort zone, where growth happens. It’s challenging, maybe even a little scary, but it’s also where you discover what you’re truly capable of. The alumni address wasn’t in my comfort zone—it was firmly planted in my stretch zone.
That didn’t mean it was easy to say yes. The self-doubt didn’t magically disappear. But I’ve learned that limiting beliefs thrive on avoidance. When you avoid the thing that makes you uncomfortable, that belief only grows stronger. I knew I had to take this on. So, I said yes.
Once I committed, I got fully into prep mode. I wrote and rewrote my speech. I practiced walking around my living room. I reminded myself that my job wasn’t to deliver a flawless performance—it was to show up authentically and share something meaningful with these students. I reflected on what I would have found useful when I was in their shoes, 13 years ago.
When the day arrived, I felt the nerves kick in, but I also felt ready. As I stepped up to the podium and looked out at the auditorium of students, friends, and family, I took a deep breath and reminded myself why I was there. It wasn’t about being a perfect public speaker; it was about making a genuine connection.
What mattered was that I showed up and shared my story. When it was over, I felt a rush of relief—but also pride. Not just because I’d done it, but because I’d challenged a belief that had held me back for far too long.
This experience was a powerful reminder that our limiting beliefs aren’t set in stone. They’re stories we tell ourselves, and like any story, they can be rewritten. Through coaching, I’ve seen clients let go of beliefs that have held them back for years. I’ve witnessed firsthand how stepping into the stretch zone can transform people—and I’ve felt it myself.
In recent months, I’ve worked with clients on themes like: “I can’t make money from doing something I love,” “I’m too old to make a career change now,” and “I can’t start because I’m too afraid of failing.” Just to name a few. We all have them. Our baggage that we carry around with us.
So, if there’s something you’re hesitating on, something that feels just a little too big or too scary, I’d encourage you to lean into it. It might not feel comfortable, but growth rarely does. Saying yes to that speech wasn’t my first reaction, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made last year. Not just because I had the chance to share something that resonated with people sitting where I was over a decade ago, but because I proved to myself that I could do it.
The stretch zone is where the magic happens, and it’s always worth taking the leap.
With love,
