I’ve been thinking about comfort zones this week. About how they are really dangerous places. Dangerous and dull. And how none of us should feel comfortable in them.
I took a big step out of my comfort zone this week.
It may come as a surprise, but I am a fully fledged introvert. I am not entirely comfortable in large groups of people and contrary to popular belief, I am definitely not comfortable being the centre of attention.
Now, I know some of you will be calling BS here. Some of you will be saying, “Hang on a minute, I’ve been on the receiving end of you barking instructions at me on a bike ride, there’s no sign of introversion there.”
And the 1,000 of you that joined us at the EG Awards this week, will definitely be thinking, “Erm, weren’t you the one with the light-up shoes?”
Well, yes, but those are distraction techniques. Honest. Getting up on stage in front of 1,000 of you on Tuesday night and talking from the heart about what makes me passionate about this industry, was, quite honestly, terrifying. Initially, at least. I have to admit that by the end, I was loving it!
This was me getting outside my comfort zone, talking to the industry about getting out of yours. About us tackling the issues that slow this sector down and doing it together. About us not just calling for change, but making change happen.
I’ll hope you’ll agree with me that we started to do that with the awards this year. A different vibe, different awards categories and a wide and varied range of different winners, all voted for by you.
What I learnt this week was that outside my comfort zone was much more rewarding and exciting than inside it. And that, actually, it’s quite easy to get outside it. That I am more capable than I thought.
And if I am, that means that you sure as sugar are too. That means that you too can ask those uncomfortable questions of yourselves: are we creating an industry that delivers the best products, places and service, are we inclusive, are we doing our bit for our people and for humankind, are we doing our bit for the planet, or are we sitting comfortably (or comfortably-ish in the current climate) cracking on with the regular day job?
Are you willing to don some theoretical (or real if you like) light-up shoes and shine a light on doing something different? Or leading a fresh path?
From the conversations I had on Tuesday, I’m confident I know the answer to that question, which was why I could stand up in front of all of you and say with honesty that I was proud.
Thank you.
And while we are on the subject of stepping outside our comfort zone, EG is conducting a comprehensive study of mental health in the real estate sector. For us to get a proper view of the industry we need as many of you as possible to fill in our anonymous survey. It takes just seven minutes and will be phenomenally helpful. Please fill it in and share around your businesses.
For more on mental health in real estate: EG’s Mental Health Hub >>
