By Rob Dencker
In 2022, during my semester abroad in Europe, my friends and I spent a weekend in Interlaken, Switzerland. From snowboarding down snow-capped mountains, indulging in rich, authentic hot chocolate, and taking in postcard-worthy views at every turn, it was a trip I was more than satisfied with.
But somewhere between our mountain runs and restaurant stops; plans took a turn. Despite being strongly against the idea, I found myself being “peer pressured” into something I had zero interest in: Skydiving.
From waiting for the van to pick us up and escort us to the launch site, to harnessing up and boarding the plane, nothing but pure anticipation and nerves overtook me. With the commitment sealed, we reached peak height where I watched my friends one-by-one drop into a free fall as I inched closer to the exit door.
Moments later, I was thousands of feet in the air, staring out at the Swiss Alps, slowly leaning forward into nothing but sky. What I expected to feel was pure panic, but to my surprise the initial fear gave way to adrenaline, disbelief, and an unexpected sense of confidence. I had done something I genuinely didn’t think I would ever be able to do.
Reflecting on this now over a year into my professional career, I’ve realized those feelings of intimidation, nerves, and excitement, sometimes all at once, have continued to come back. From interviews, to starting new jobs, to presentations and all those higher-pressure moments between, the setting and reasons may have varied, but the discomfort and sense of uncertainty was consistent. And I’ve come to realize; this is a good thing.
Now I noticed that throughout our day-to-day life it can be easy to fall stagnant where we’re at and believe we need to feel ready before stepping out of our comfort zone. An idea, that confidence should come first, then we raise our hand, or ask a question, or take on something new. But I noticed it works the opposite way – confidence is built after we “take the leap.”
From witnessing it from coworkers to experiencing it firsthand, the ones who are willing to be fearless, take action, and face new challenges, are the ones who will stand out and ultimately grow. That is not to say there won’t be moments of humility, embarrassment, or even failure, but to be just willing to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone is a win in itself.
Everyone is different, and each of us brings a unique set of strengths, weaknesses, fears, and experiences. And while there’s no single formula for growth, there are a few actionable takeaways I believe are worth considering the workplace and beyond.
1. Say yes to something you’ve never done before.
This sounds like an easy one to check off, but don’t cheat yourself – find something that you have never done before and intentionally step out of your comfort zone to do it! For example, this year I performed stand-up comedy in front of all my coworkers and family despite being terrified. While I may have bombed, the overwhelming feeling of relief and confidence was worth the corny jokes and humility.
2. Take action before you feel ready.
It’s easy to wait until you feel fully prepared, but that moment rarely comes. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, you normally stay quiet on, taking on a new responsibility, or pursuing a new opportunity; growth happens when you act despite uncertainty. Confidence doesn’t come without commitment.
3. Reflect on moments of fear or discomfort.
Think of a time when you were genuinely nervous, uncomfortable, stressed, or anxious. Take a moment to understand why, and what made it feel intimidating? Often, those moments highlight areas where there’s room to grow, and reflection can turn those mentally difficult experiences into a lasting lesson.
Over time, whether in the workplace or in our personal lives, these actions will start to accumulate. What once felt intimidating begins to feel familiar, and the moments that used to cause hesitation become opportunities you’re more willing to step into. Without even realizing it, you build a habit of leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it.
That’s where the real shift happens, not overnight, not in one bold move, but in consistently choosing to show up despite uncertainty. It becomes less about forcing confidence, and more about trusting that you’ll figure things out along the way. It turns into a mindset.
A mindset where uncertainty or fear isn’t something that holds you back, but something that signals you’re moving in the right direction. Growth isn’t about eliminating discomfort; it’s about accepting it, moving forward, and being willing to “take the jump”.
