Think back to your first day at UCLA: you probably felt full of excitement
and drive to do big things. Now that we’re halfway through the academic year, there's
a good chance you've accomplished some of your goals (which is awesome). But being
the over-achiever that you are, there’s also a good chance that you are experiencing
burnout
and are looking for ways to revive your motivation.
We get it! What to do, you ask? Try breaking away from your routine and doing something
new. Changing things up can lead to a shift in perception and infuse you with new
energy.
Devna Shukla
’09 is an Emmy Award-winning producer and currently an MBA student
at NYU Stern. She got her start interning for (then) Senator Barack Obama and with
CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” Devna was an editorial
producer for CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” where she traveled to
cover key breaking news stories, including the Newtown shooting, the Ebola crisis,
and the Boston Marathon bombing. Read more about Devna and her advice for students
and alumni in her Excellence in Action interview.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential for developing interests, accomplishing
goals and becoming the person you aspire to be. But often, fear keeps us from moving
forward in this crucial exercise.
Fear is a valuable emotion but moments of bravery in its presence are sometimes
necessary for growth. Here are a few simple tips on getting comfortable with
being uncomfortable:
Acknowledge what makes you uncomfortable and get
clear about what you want to overcome.
Do small things to challenge yourself every day,
like approaching someone new or attending an event you normally wouldn't go to.
Ask for support from your peers. Fear of the unknown
is present for most so ask your friends, family and professors for their feedback
and tips.
Everything
you want is waiting for you outside of your comfort zone. So, what will you do this
week to change things up?
