Pushing my Comfort Zone

For those who have known me a long time, understand that growing up (say age 10 to my 20s) I suffered from low self-esteem. This would include low confidence in my own gifts and abilities. Unless I knew for certain I would be able to complete something successfully, I would not do it or attempt it.

Some close friends have shared with me that over the last few years that have noticed my confidence to try something that normally is not in my "Comfort zone" increase. They say they began to see it when I learned how to drive (finally!!!) when I was 30. Looking back I tend to agree that things began to change when I learned that valuable skill of driving.

Taking that step to move to Calgary 3 years ago now, was a huge push in expanding my comfort zone. Relocating oneself is a huge decision, but a decision I have never regretted. Since beginning at Calgary Health Region, so many doors have opened to increase my skill level - within in 3 months of working I went from just doing Emergency coding, to include surgical daycare and inpatient coding. And within that same year learn how to code obstretical and newborn coding. I was worried about that last area as that was my stumbling block in school. Today, I can include being a surgical daycare coding traineras well. When I did my interview with CIHI and they asked me to say yes or no to the areas where I have coded - do you know that I was able to say YES to everything?? I just shake my head - I thought I would never been able to say that. You know the other thing I learned? - If I did not work at the Foothills site as well as gone to PLC and Rockyview to code - I would not been able to say yes to all.

Last month, I decided to push my comfort zone again (no I am not leaving Calgary). I applied for 2 coding coordinator positions here at the Calgary Health Region. One is a temporary full time (until the end of August) and the other is a permanent FT. Two weeks ago I had a 2 hour computer assessment test and last Wednesday I had my interview (almost 2 hours long!!). I was the first one of 5 whom applied to have the interview - My boss, the coding supervisor and the data quality coordinator were conducting the interview and they rotated through the 11 pages of questions (some had 2-3 questions per page). At the end of the interview I had to give a 10 min presentation on something. Thinking I have been only here for 3 years, I decided on talking about my career and how different things could apply to being a coding coordinator. Not knowing what to expect, I had to think on my feet for the answers. Hopefully I will find out either way this week when I am in Calgary. If by chance, I am asking to take this position, I would be in charge in leading meetings plus just going through the whole process of applying is what I mean by "pushing my comfort zone".

Lately, my view on my career future has been looking at the "Big Picture" - if I stay in Health Records until I retire that will be another 20-25 years! So if I don't try different aspects of my field now it might lead me down a different path. So even if I don't become a coding coordinator now, my boss knows it is something I am interested in, so if a small temporary job (taking part in an internal study project - just did one for thoracic surgery) they might remember. What is that saying - if you don't try you won't know. So that is what I am doing.