Pearls are Made Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Eloise, Tennis Co-Captain, reminds us that stepping out of our comfort zone, and the consequences that often brings, grows us as people, through grit and perseverance.

Each week, our student leaders share their insights with their peers in Assembly.

To start this speech, I’m going to give you all a cold, hard fact. Impulsive decisions are a part of life. Yes, sometimes they go horribly wrong, like earlier this year when I dressed up as Fat Amy and danced in front of the whole school, but all in all, they make us who we are. And let’s be honest, life would be pretty boring without them.

So, when two months ago, some friends and I decided that we should sign up for a half marathon – one thing led to another, and what started out as an ‘impulsive decision’ became a brutal reality. So much so that we’re now knee-deep in training sessions three times a week, and most days I wake up and can’t feel my legs.

But this marathon – which falls exactly eight days after trials – has introduced some amazing changes for me as well. It is the perfect form of a study break: a quick gym session or a run, and even cheeky socialising here and there, and means that I have a reason to get out of the house and get my body moving.

The impulsive decision I made two months ago is now a big part of my life, and whilst it takes a lot of grit to get out of bed on a cold or rainy morning for a run, or go to the gym when I really want to be watching TV in my pyjamas, the physical and mental benefits, along with the brilliant excuse for a break are proving to be truly invaluable.

The moral of this story is, the gritty and impulsive decisions we make are sometimes exactly what we need. Yes, usually the best choices are those that are the most thought out, but sometimes, a spur-of-the-moment decision will force us into a situation that ends up having an unimaginable change for the better. I learned that, while it doesn’t necessarily need to be running a half marathon, even doing small things like trying to get more involved in the School community can help grow you as a person.

Here’s what I want you to do. At Busking Club on Fridays, get up on that stage and perform. The worst thing that can happen is that people laugh at you. But hey, at least you made someone laugh! Be the one to answer a question in class. The worst thing that can happen is you get it wrong. It’s better than sitting there in silence. Even just making an effort to smile at someone in the hallway, particularly during that awkward moment when it’s only you and another person walking across the bridge. The worst thing that can happen is that they don’t smile back. Which, in that case, is a them problem, not you!

Put it this way. Yes, Year 7, with your 213 full weeks of school left, it might seem like you have forever to get involved, and yes, it’s quite a while. But soon enough you’ll have 173 weeks left like the Year 8s, 135 like the Year 9s, 97 like the Year 10s, 59 like the Year 11s, and then eventually, only 10 weeks of school left like the Year 12s, and you will wish that you had done a little bit more. That you’d sung that one song in front of everyone. Said that one answer you knew was right. Or even smiled at that one person that one day.

Ask any of the beautiful Class of 2025 and they will tell you that their one regret is not throwing themselves into something extra or letting that impulsive decision take over for a second, and having the satisfaction of venturing outside their comfort zone. The grit of the experience is what builds you as a person and teaches you valuable lessons.

Year 12, we’re about to start a brand new adventure, and I know that every single one of you will do incredible things. But to live life to the fullest and find out what we’re truly capable of, we need to take the opportunities as they come, and let the impulsive choices, along with the risks they bring, help shape us as individuals.

And to all of you, you have amazing times ahead, and I want you to seize the little moments. Throw yourselves into all the opportunities that come your way, even if it’s miles outside of your comfort zone. An impulsive decision might end up being more rewarding than you ever could have imagined.

This is an edited version of Eloise’s Assembly speech.