Confidence, comfort zones, and a wise man on stage

Everywhere you go now, Christmas seems to be in full swing.

For my part, I’m really hoping Santa is real this year — and turns up on Christmas Eve with all the gifts already wrapped and placed under the tree. That would be incredibly helpful! 🎁😂

I tend to get into Christmas mode once the schools finish up, but yesterday was my youngest son’s nativity and it definitely brought the festive feeling.

He was a wise man, and he was brilliant — said his lines clearly and with confidence. To the other parents, it probably seemed totally normal…

But for us?
It was a big milestone.

In P1, I had to keep him off school for the nativity because he was so anxious about getting on stage — and he didn’t even have a part, just the choir!

At nursery, he would cry on stage and I’d have to take him off.

Last year, he had no speaking role but at least managed to stand on the stage despite the nerves.

And now?
He’s saying next year he wants MORE lines.

It honestly made my heart burst — and it got me thinking about so many of the amazing women I work with.

When we first start working together, many of them are:

• terrified of looking at their numbers

• nervous about posting on social media

• unsure about hiring staff

• overwhelmed by the idea of delegation

• scared to raise their prices

• or just afraid to be truly seen in their business

But as we all know (reluctantly!), growth never happens inside your comfort zone.

My son didn’t suddenly feel confident overnight — it happened because, each year, he stepped a tiny bit further out of the safe zone he knew.

And it’s the same in business.

So as we zoom (at pace!) toward the end of the year, here’s your gentle nudge:

What’s one thing your business really needs you to do — or one thing you really want to do — that sits outside your comfort zone?

Because that’s where next year’s growth lives.

Here’s three steps to help you get there:

1️⃣ Acknowledge the fear — and do it anyway.
Fear is normal. It means you’re stretching. The fear goes away after the action, not before it.

2️⃣ Break it down into the smallest possible steps.
Don’t leap onto the big stage — just stand at the side first.
Small steps compound into big confidence.

3️⃣ Tell someone your intention.
Whether it’s a friend, partner, another business owner — saying it out loud gives it power, and accountability makes it more likely you’ll follow through.

Growth is waiting right on the other side of that small, brave step.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Speak soon,

Cherie