Author Ruth Ronan On How to Grow Beyond Your Comfort Zone to Grow Both Personally and Professionally
An Interview With Maria Angelova
I can be an inspiration or help someone else with my experiences.
It feels most comfortable to stick with what we are familiar with. But anyone who has achieved great success will tell you that true growth comes from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. What are some ways that influential people have pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to grow both personally and professionally? As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ruth Ronan.
Ruth Ronan is a published author and a mind, energy, and health coach. Through her work with The Unsinkable Life and her own practice, Ruth loves to assist those in becoming unstuck in their lives by removing mental and emotional blocks that are keeping them from living their best lives. Prior to this, Ruth was a Chicago Police Sergeant with 28 years of service. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and 2 sons.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
My childhood backstory is what made me who I am today, which is to serve others. I am 1st generation American. As a child subjected to both physical and emotional trauma, I struggled with self-esteem issues, self-confidence, and self-worth. In High School, I joined the swim team and found comfort and peace in losing my thoughts in the quietness of the water. I was able to overcome what many cannot, and because of that I have become a mental health coach.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite Life Lesson Quote is from Yoda in the movie Star Wars. “Do or do not. There is no try.” This is relevant to me in my life in many areas and situations. In High School, when I joined swim team, I would have panic attacks during meets and couldn’t finish races. I loved the way swimming made me feel, the feel of the water on my body and that I could swim long distances for a long time. I overcame the panic attacks, and went on to be recognized as most improved swimmer my freshman year. I could have quit and given up but it meant too much to me to stick with it and succeed. I have carried this with me through other aspects of my career and life, which helped me succeed in the Chicago Police Department and become the wife and mother I am today.
Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
My favorite film that made an impact on me is Ordinary People. This film resonated with me for several reasons. First, it was filmed/set in Lake Forest Il which is the town next to where I grew up. Second, The family portrayed in the movie was all about external appearances. Everything looked so good from the outside, but within the house there were dark secrets. Third, Timothy Hutton won an academy Award for his performance in the film as the son and he was relatable to me. He was a swimmer, in deep emotional pain and his mother was not nurturing to him or could relate to him. This movie made me feel as though I was not alone. There had to be others like me who were in pain and suffering alone.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Let’s start with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. What does “getting outside of your comfort zone” mean?
Growth outside your comfort zone means pushing yourself to do something that is different than what you do daily or normally, or have done in the past. It pushed you far beyond what you have ever done.
Can you help articulate a few reasons why it is important to get out of your comfort zone?
It is important to get outside your comfort zone because that is how you will grow to become a better version of yourself. If you aren’t growing you are dying.
Is it possible to grow without leaving your comfort zone? Can you explain what you mean?
I do not think it is possible to grow without leaving your comfort zone because one must challenge themselves. To stay in your comfort zone means that you will produce the same results over and over again.
Can you share some anecdotes from your personal experience? Can you share a story about a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone and how it helped you grow? How does it feel to take those first difficult steps?
While I was finishing college, I noticed that the Chicago Police Department was going to be hiring. There was an incident that happened when I was around 7 or 8 years old. I had to call the police because my Mom and Dad were physically fighting and he threw her out of our car. When the police arrived, my father knew the officer. I could see them talking and laughing. He never came to check on my mom who was laying on the ground, crying and injured. The police officer then left. My father kicked my mom, and came to me and stated that if I ever called the police again, he would kill me. It was then that I believe I told myself that I would never let that happen to another child or women again. I filled out the application and started the process along with 25,000 other people. With each step in the process, I was slowly starting to believe that this could happen. I did not tell anyone else I was in this process because I knew that I would be laughed at, and I didn’t want anyone to talk me out of trying. On August 27, 1990, I walked into the Chicago Police Department Training and Education Division. Each step of the process was a challenge for me in that I had to fight the voices of insecurity and self-doubt. What am I thinking? Who is going to listen to me? I have no voice, no confidence, and no belief in my ability to perform the job. Who will take me seriously? I have never been so frightened walking into the Police Academy that 1st day. And while I was in training, I was pushed every day. Whether it was learning to shoot, defensive tactics, training scenarios, and being a female in a profession where females are given a hard time. I did graduate towards the top of my class.
Here is the central question of our discussion. What are your “five ways to push past your comfort zone, to grow both personally and professionally”?
5 ways I push past my comfort zone personally and professionally are that I ask myself….
- It’s not going to feel good but do it anyway.
- What do I have to lose?
- Will I regret not doing it later?
- Do I want to continue to grow and become the best version of me?
- I can be an inspiration or help someone else with my experiences.
From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that keep someone from pushing out of their comfort zone?
Common barriers that keep someone from pushing out of their comfort zone are that it will be uncomfortable, they lack confidence or belief in their abilities, they don’t know what steps to take or where to start, they don’t want to ask for help.
There is a well-known quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that says, “Do something that scares you every day”. What exactly does this mean to you? Is there inherent value in doing something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, even if it does not relate to personal or professional growth? For example, if one is uncomfortable about walking alone at night should they purposely push themselves to do it often for the sake of going beyond their comfort zone? Can you please explain what you mean?
Do something that scares you every day means that you push yourself every day. Do your best every day. No regrets. Keep my eyes on my goal and work towards it every day. I believe there is an inherent value in doing something that pushes one out of their comfort zone even if does not relate to personal or professional growth. It shows one that they can persevere be able to handle challenges and adversity. It instills belief and confidence. I didn’t like heights. Even watching a movie or tv where they are in a high location would make my palms sweat. A few years ago, we went on a family outing to an adventure tower that has 4 levels and over 110 different climbing elements. I was nervous putting the harness on and listening to the safety briefing. I started out on the low-level climbs and balance obstacles. As I worked my way to the level 3 and 4 obstacles, I had to talk my way through them. But I did it!!! What this showed me was that I can work through my fears and overcome my limiting beliefs. It helps to build confidence.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
The movement I would like to inspire is to help first responders and those in the military to help their mental health. I have experienced 1st hand what I was able to overcome. I have seen the techniques I use to pull Police officers out of depression. There are other options available to help those who safeguard our country and homes and communities. What they see on a daily basis, no one should have to see. They need tools to be able to process it and I have those tools.
How can our readers follow you online?
I can be found online at the following places:
@theunsinkablelife
@ronanruth
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
