Growing up I had a view of smart that I didn’t fit into. It was focused around textbook learning and teacher praise. My view of it created a clear divide between those who were and those who weren’t. Unfortunately I was on the wrong side.

I enjoyed high school. I had great friends and played sports. I wasn’t one to take school that seriously. I never had a teacher push me to be better, they just put me into a category and let it be. I even had a “Guidance” Counselor tell me that I shouldn’t waste my time applying to 4-year colleges. I would never get in.

It is a good thing that I was stubborn because I applied to many 4-year colleges and was only rejected by one. Sorry, Mr. Tofte, but you were wrong.

After I completed my undergraduate degree I took a year off then, started my master’s degree.   It was in my master’s degree that I really started to love the idea of learning. This love of learning has followed me throughout my career.

Throughout my career people have told me how smart I am. I always deflect the praise and say, “I am not smart, I am a classic overachiever.”   This is really because my view of smart still went back to the textbook thing.

Since my son started school a few years ago, my view on smart has changed. While I still think people who excel in traditional learning as smart, I also believe that traditional learning holds brilliant minds back. Learning can happen in many different ways. For some of us, the idea of reading a textbook makes our palms sweat. We are active learners who excel with hands-on projects, learning by trial and error, and reading things that interest us.

We have a tendency to measure everyone the same.   Is a fish less great because it can’t climb a tree as well as a monkey? By doing this, we have categorized people incorrectly. We stifle creativity. We derail dreams. We set the bar too low.

The art of smart comes with the idea that harnessing how you learn and applying that to your life, will allow you to achieve great things.  It allows you to embrace the being smart. It allows people to see you in a different light.

Go get your Smart On!

Have you ever been somewhere that you say, “this is a good place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here?” I bet you are picturing places in your mind right now. I know I am.   What is it about those places that make you not want to live there?

There are various reasons why people might say this. It could be weather, lack of jobs, lack of “things” to do, too small, too big, etc. What I am trying to figure out is why more people don’t feel this way about The Comfort Zone.

The Comfort Zone is a great place to visit, but nobody should live there. The CZ is too easy. It is a place for rest. According to the Oxford Dictionary, comfort means “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.”  Everyone needs to spend time here, but should want more than comfort.   This is a great place to be after a significant time climbing the mountain. The key is to use it as a resting place, not a home. The summit still awaits you.

The greatest challenge to overcome the CZ is our own minds. The CZ lulls us to sleep. Makes us complacent. Encourages us to be average. It warns us of the dangers if you step outside of it. It makes us feel safe, secure, and comfortable.  The CZ is not a perfect place, but because it may be easier, it is understandable why people may want to stay there.

Why is this a place we shouldn’t want to stay? Simple. Nothing great has ever come from the comfort zone.   Some good things, yes, but nothing great. Innovation has never come from inside the CZ. Innovation comes to pull people out of it.

Life is to be lived. Life should be an adventure. The CZ should serve as the place to rest before we take the next hill.   The CZ looks different for everyone. Like a fingerprint, they are all different. They key is to stretch yourself.

Here are some ideas to get yourself out of your CZ:

• Define what your CZ actually looks like.
• What will your life be like in 5, 10, 15 years, if you say in the CZ?
• Take a risk. You don’t need to tackle large ones at first.  Start small.
• Make a fool of yourself.   Forget for once what people think of you and enjoy yourself.
• Face one of your fears. Just pick one and conquer it.
• Set a goal and actually work tirelessly to achieve it.
• Spend more time with family and friends who are adventurous.
• Eat a cookie. I’m not sure if it will help, but sounds delicious right now.

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. – Oprah Winfrey

1. You regularly aim at a moving target – This is what we are doing until we change it.
2. Your opinion on what is happening actually matters – You better have one.
3. Everyone is sold out for the mission of the company – This doesn’t mean however that everyone is on the same page. See #1
4. Your job focus changes regularly – This is more than wearing multiple hats, this is about working to ensure success.
5. You are excited about the possibilities that are ahead of you and it keeps you awake at night. – Dream big or go home.
6. Emails come in at all hours of the night – Especially when you are working for a global startup.
7. Being nimble is not an option, but a norm – If you can’t embrace change, working for a startup may not be the best place for you.
8. There is something to learn from every decision, deal, sale, etc. – Everything you do you learn from.
9. You are surrounded by super motivated and intelligent people – Everyone wants the team to win!
10. The work you do has a major impact on the success of the company – If not, you will be looking for a new job 🙂