Venturing out of my comfort zone

This is an image I show my students on a daily basis. I am constantly urging, nudging and pushing them to step out of their comfort zone.

“Take risks”

“Leap in”

“Do something that scares you”

“Push yourself”

“Challenge yourself”

“Put yourself in a position where you will grow”

Such easy advice to give…

Much harder advice to take when you find yourself faced with a situation where you have to make a decision about stepping out of your own comfort zone.

My comfort zone is Studio 5.

I love Studio 5. I am happy there. I love the students. I love my team. I love our days – shoes off, music blasting, always some sort of silliness and shenanigans afoot.

I am comfortable in Studio 5. I understand our vision, our mission, our challenges, our opportunities, our roadblocks. I know our history, our failures, our many iterations.

I know what I’m doing in Studio 5. Not to say that I’m doing it right, but I’ve grown confident supporting students to choose, act and reflect. I’ve learned how to help students write their own reports. I’ve figured out ways to guide students to tune into their motivation and uncover their passions and purpose.

So making the decision to leave Studio 5 has been a very difficult one.

But if I’ve been telling my students that stepping out of their comfort zone is where the magic happens, then I would be a hypocrite to not heed my own advice.

So… I’m stepping out of my comfort zone. Into a new position. At a new school. In a new country. On a new continent. To have a chance to impact change on a whole school level. To support an AMAZING staff of learners, critical thinkers and risk-takers. To grow myself as a leader.

Trusting, as the image promises, to find where the magic happens. A promise I’ve sold to my students over and over again.

Easy to sell to them.

Much, scarier when it’s about me.

So although I am sad to leave my lovely, comfortable Studio 5 family, I’m excited about what’s around the corner next year and the magic I hope to find in my next adventure.

Wish me luck!