This post is about stretching and going out of comfort zone. I echo Steve Job’s advice to “stay hungry, stay foolish!” as that’s how I learned fast and progressed.
I shifted work and career several times – from sales, to country business management, to regional general management.
I moved from the IT financial systems industry – to the manufacturing and distribution of B2B commercial imaging systems.
For business units in ASEAN – I shifted from leading & managing the document imaging system, to entertainment imaging, and then to medical imaging systems. From analog, to hybrid, and then to digital imaging systems.
I learned a lot, worked with many diverse teams and leaders, grew fast, and became comfortable in my MNC sales, management and leadership roles for 20 years.
As a family, we relocated from Philippines, to Malaysia, then to Singapore. During these times, my husband also took overseas assignments based in Indonesia and India. At the same time, our child was growing up. Complex changes were simultaneously and continuously happening for us at work and at home.
Then in 2008, I made another big shift to become self-employed & an entrepreneur as I embarked into the field of consulting, training and coaching. First in Singapore, then in Philippines in 2015. POWERinU SG is now 16 years and counting.
I also became an active investor & managing partner in a food retail business located in Orchard for 2 years. Short stint but very packed with experiences.
Every change and transition has an element of uncertainty and risk. The next steps after we go out of our comfort zones can be daunting. The journey is never smooth. It is easy to be discouraged and to just come back to the safe and familiar. But as Nelson Mandela has said – “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
There are four action steps that helped me stretch through the journey – P.A.C.E. – Prepare. Be Accountable. Conquer Failures. Experience. I elaborated in the video below what P.A.C.E. means – do check it out.
In this life journey, the way out is through! Stretch beyond the comfort zone. Keep pace with uncertainty. Emerge stronger, wiser and more fulfilled!