Business lessons from getting out of your personal comfort zone

Part of why Branden C. Schiralli tests his limits is that when you’re 75 feet underwater pursuing a 40-pound wahoo (that’s a fish, for the landlocked), you’re not thinking about work, deadlines, fear or even a leaky faucet. You’re mindful of the dangers in your vicinity (sharks!) but keeping focused on the end goal.

In fact, the 13-year MDRT member from North Palm Beach, Florida, for whom freediving (that is, without an oxygen tank) is just one of several pulse-pounding hobbies, says there are plenty of lessons to glean from his activities that apply to your business.

“The only way to truly grow is through new experiences,” he said. “Whether that is a new hobby, changing your routines or even going against popular opinions in the workplace, it is beneficial to force ourselves out of our comfort zones. In order to be different, we must think different.”

Freediving

Sharks. Sharks everywhere. How does Schiralli deal with that? “I love the quote, ‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change,’” he said. “An example of this is a friend told me once that whenever I’m nervous around sharks to think of two things that kill people more than sharks every year: falling vending machines and falling coconuts. So anytime I get anxious I think of that, and it oddly brings me comfort. Looking at it from this perspective, rather than I’m swimming with Jaws, helps me stay focused on the overall modality and ultimately score the big fish.”

Business connection: This could be finally changing from a transactional business to a fee-based practice, getting additional licenses or even to stop associating with people who hold you back. “Change isn’t easy, but what got you here will not get you there,” said Schiralli, who runs a wealth management and financial planning practice. “It all comes back to zeroing in on the aforementioned fish: Look beyond your personal sharks, keep focused and you will hit your goal.”

Heli-skiing

You don’t go heli-skiing — that is, skiing down a mountain after being dropped at the top by helicopter — because you want to take the path most traveled. “Whether it is skiing or your personal journey in life, make your own path,” Schiralli said. “It is the ungroomed trails that require the longer journey and the most courage. This naturally is accompanied by more danger, but as they say the greater the risk the greater the reward.”

Business connection: Early in Schiralli’s career, a client passed away with a significant estate. Schiralli knew he didn’t have the expertise yet but did not want to pass up the opportunity. So rather than trying on his own, he worked with their attorneys and CPAs and involved his mentors. “This was an invaluable experience for me and was one of the building blocks to where I am today,” he said, noting this lesson: “Move toward challenges not away from them, never be afraid to ask for help and always look for the lesson in a difficult situation.”

Exotic travel

Obviously there is nothing wrong with traveling to popular destinations like Paris and London. Schiralli prefers to explore less-familiar territory, however (which often includes opportunities for heli-skiing or other adventures). That includes trips to Egypt, Beirut, the Maldives, Jordan, Lebanon and Thailand. “Traveling the world provides new experiences, inherently stimulating growth,” he said. “Being mindful of your surroundings is always important, but especially so when in countries with unique customs.” In fact, on one trip, Schiralli was with a friend who unwittingly exposed the bottom of his foot at a checkpoint, which locally was taken as an insult. The security officer at the checkpoint, quite displeased, approached the car and tapped on the window not with his hand but with the barrel of the AK-47. “My friend knew the custom; he just wasn’t present in the moment,” Schiralli said. “It was a good lesson, and a great example that the most important thing is what’s in front of you.”

Business connection: Beyond paying attention to your surroundings in professional and personal settings, your priority should always be the person or the situation in front of you. “I often tell myself, ‘This is what matters, Branden,’” Schiralli said. “It truly forces me to refocus on where I am, what I am doing and even why at times. Be present. Be mindful.”

College football

Playing football at the University of South Florida, Schiralli knew he wasn’t the fastest, strongest or most talented person on the team. But he didn’t waste time making those comparisons; he always competed only with himself to be the very best he could be. “I’m not surprised where you are now,” his former teammates have recently told Schiralli, “because you were always one of the hardest workers in the room.”

Business connection: It’s not just about work ethic, though all advisors have to grind early in their careers to build up a client base. It’s also about, Schiralli said, working smart, prioritizing and adapting to change. “If you want to make a change, travel or even make Top of the Table, do not say ‘I can’t,’” he said. “Simply ask yourself, ‘How can I?’ You may not like what you come up with, but you will have your answer — then get to work.

“To think differently, start by looking through public opinion and trends, set your own independent metrics to measure yourself and you too will reap the professional rewards. Herding will never separate you from the crowd; I never want to do what everyone else is doing.” No kidding!

Watch this presentation to learn more about the Whole Person concept.