Speak Up

Expand Your Comfort Zone

Do you ever wonder why people don't join the Grange? A common answer is that they didn't know about the Grange. Start with a "Keep It Simple" idea. If you want people in your community to join your Grange, you must learn to speak up.
Talk about your Grange in a positive fashion. Find something positive and tell people about it. The great program, the exciting guest, the wonderful activity or event that is scheduled or anything that you can brag about should be your motivation to tell others about your activities. Speak up about the Grange every day to anyone you would normally talk to.
Most people will have to step out of their comfort zone to speak up about the Grange. Remember that the first time is the hardest. After that it will get easier and you will find it has a side effect. You will start to be more positive and excited about your Grange. Telling others about what you are doing shows you the value of the Grange and that it is an important part of your life.
Speak up to others about your Grange and watch incredible things happen!

 

Do you get butterflies in the stomach when you meet new people? Does doing something new make you anxious? Are you willing to take a personal risk to make some new friends? If you are, then the first thing you need to do is step out of your comfort zone. Being in a rut and being in your comfort zone can be similar things.
It is normal to be uncomfortable when confronted with having to talk to people you don't know or to share something personal with someone you just met. The only way to expand your comfort zone is to expand it on a regular basis. If you get nervous talking to people about the Grange, you must start doing it. Just mention that you had, or are going to have, a Grange meeting, event, or activity to someone new twice a week.
If you do it twice a week, soon it will be easy to mention Grange several times a week and it will become a habit. Stepping out of your comfort zone is hardest the first few times. After that, it gets easier and soon you will find that your comfort zone has expanded. Remember that when you stop doing something, your comfort zone will retract. It is your choice how big your comfort zone is.
When you expand your comfort zone, you will make new friends and gain new members for your Grange!