Dear LA,
If you’re going to keep stealing my friends, you better take care of them.
But also – know that you’ve got some good ones coming to you. Like Ali McGarel. (Click here for her website!)
Ali is an actress in Chicago (soon to be Chicago) and just started writing a blog – and it’s very much Tony Rossi approved. Enjoy 🙂
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Being Uncomfortable
by Ali McGarel
Hi, I’m Ali. I’m an actress best known for playing young roles with complexity. I enjoy the weird, the quirky, the loner, the bubbly, the–unique! I’ve performed in several films and web series and also find fulfillment in creating my own work. I’m the co-owner of A Ginger & A Brunette Productions, and created the web series “That Moment When…”. When not performing, you can find me being a badass barista, rapping to Childish Gambino, and obsessing over Britney Spears (once a stan, always a stan).
I recently got promoted as a Shift Manager at my work (#Starbucks #tobeapartner), and I’m in that really weird transitional period where I’m not sure what the hell I’m doing yet. And it gives me anxiety. I’ve been wishing I could just be a barista again, so I could go to work on autopilot. So work would be easy. So I wouldn’t feel uncomfy.
I think a lot of us live our lives on autopilot. And it makes sense. We love what’s familiar. We love being comfortable. But is that comfortability taking us where we want to go in life?
I WANT to be a Shift Manager. I want that raise. I want that higher sense of responsibility. And that in-between phase of being uncomfy is necessary to get me there. Any change in your life, big or small, requires some state of uncertainty. No one starts anything new knowing all of the answers. Trust me, if I could pass this phase and go straight to Pro SM with 2,000 closing shifts under my belt (shout out Matt), I would. But that’s just not how it works. I think back to when I first started out at Starbucks, bright eyed and bushy-tailed. I had anxiety then, too. I thought there was no way I’d be able to learn all of the drinks, let alone keep up when it’s busy. But look at me now! Morning Rush? No problem! All new things become familiar in time. And then they aren’t so scary anymore.
So think about the big change you want to make in your life. Right here, Right now.
Do you want to go back to school? Do you want to leave your current job? Do you want to open your own business? Do you want to move across the country? Now think about what’s holding you back. Sure, maybe there’s some logistical reasons why you may refrain from taking action. But I’m willing to bet there’s also fear of the unknown.
But REMEMBER…all big, awesome changes happen on the other side of being uncomfortable. So instead of avoiding this feeling…maybe we should be CHASING it.
Think about ways you can chase being uncomfortable in your life. And then, once you’ve reached that new goal, become uncomfortable again.
Keep that process going until you’ve reached all of your wildest dreams.
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Newest episode (#19) of the Tony Rossi Show podcast is UP!
By the way, I’m Tony. I live in Chicago. (Duh.) I’m an actor and podcaster living right up the street from Wrigley Field.
My blog is here to help others take control and live a more authentically positive life on their terms. Since working with a coach and learning more about personal development, I’ve started sharing my learnings with others. (I have a lot…)
If we’ve never meet – shoot me a tweet! Would love to hear how you found this 🙂You can also find me on facebook, instagram, YouTube, or check out my actor website.
tonyinchicago 