Working Outside Your Comfort Zone - Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Dodgers

 

You might enjoy this article about Steve Rogers, a very successful starting pitcher for the Montreal Expos back in the 70s and 80s. He was a dominant pitcher on the club and as this article states he had won three games in the 1981 playoffs.  That’s impressive.

However, in the playoffs when teams face a win-or-go-home scenario players are required to step outside of their comfort zone and fill an unfamiliar role.  Rogers the starting pitcher was asked to become Rogers the relief pitcher during the deciding game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  This interrupted his routine of starting a game, then having a few days of rest and recovery before starting another game. 

The Expos sent Rogers, their best pitcher, to the mound as a reliever for the ninth inning in the deciding game and he delivered a home-run pitch to Rick Monday of the Dodgers, who would then go on to win the World Series versus the New York Yankees in six games. Expos fans like me remember this well.   Rogers won three games in the 1981 playoffs yet this is what we remember.

It’s an interesting story and read when thinking about how we respond when we are outside of our comfort zone.

https://montrealgazette.com/sports/former-expo-rogers-relives-blue-monday

Public Speaking - Growing Your Comfort Zone

 

Public Speaking - Growing Your Comfort Zone

Do you want to become a more effective public speaker?  Or to simply learn to manage a fear of public speaking?  Then you’re going to need to practice by speaking in public.  Public speaking is a skill, and skills require practice. Watching videos and reading books can offer you knowledge, however knowledge isn’t enough – you need to exercise the skill.

I recommend visiting a Toastmasters club and joining a club. All clubs have their own culture so find one you like. At Toastmasters you’ll be invited to deliver five-to-seven minute speeches, offer two-minute talks, and provide verbal feedback to other speakers,

So if you want grow your comfort zone as it relates to public speaking, join a Toastmasters club and start speaking. Speak about your projects, your ambitions and your passions.