Marisol Arboleda Of Diaz Gables Construction Group On How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone To Grow Both Personally and Professionally
An Interview with Maria Angelova
Treat Yourself: Create a list of everything that makes you feel uneasy. Add more and more items as you go. Put a reward next to each activity or product. Try to knock out one item on your to-do list every day or every week. When you finish an item on your list, give yourself the accompanying reward.
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 Marisol Arboleda-Diaz.
Marisol Arboleda-Diaz, Vice President of Gables Construction Group (GCG), has made a name for herself as an industry leader in South Florida thanks to her extensive background, visionary management style, and dedication to giving back to the local community. When it comes to the “behind the scenes” workings of the organization, Marisol is the “engine” that keeps everything moving smoothly.
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 background or upbringing wasn’t ideal, but rather than wallow in self-pity, I’m going to embrace it as a source of inspiration and drive. I was born and raised in Patterson, New Jersey, but I had to escape to Florida to find peace. After graduating from high school, I spent a year at Miami-Dade College. I was unable to complete my degree, so I withdrew from college, started working to support myself, and eventually became financially independent. At the age of seventeen, I got my first job with a builder. I entered the field as a receptionist but quickly realized that I wanted to advance in what had been traditionally a male-dominated field.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“In this life, to earn your place you have to fight for it.” -Shakira
I absolutely love this quote by singer and Latin superstar Shakira! As I shared, my upbringing was not a set of fairy tales. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had to work hard for everything I’ve received. I entered this field when I was 17 years old, and it has been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs ever since. Fighting for what I want and what I believe I deserve has taught me a lot, helped me mature, and given me a sense of purpose.
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?
I can’t name a favorite book, podcast, or movie right now. Although these are all enjoyable pursuits, nothing beats quality time spent with loved ones for inspiring reflection and allowing one to forget one’s worries. by participating in their events, visiting the beach, and engaging in other rejuvenating outdoor pursuits.
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?
This is an excellent question for me to ponder because I have always tried to push myself beyond my limits. I wouldn’t be here today to tell my story if I hadn’t pushed the limits. For me, stepping outside of my comfort zone is experiencing the butterflies in my stomach right before something life-changing occurs because I’m not sure of the outcome. It’s intriguing, strange, untested, and perhaps dangerous, but I can’t help but try it out. When I reach a goal, I think back on how good it felt and try to replicate that feeling of accomplishment.
Can you help articulate a few reasons why it is important to get out of your comfort zone?
When I reach a goal, I think back on how good it felt and try to replicate that feeling. Leaving your safe space can be a terrifying experience. Change is usually unpleasant because of all the unknowns involved. However, there are numerous upsides to challenging yourself. It’s not easy to muster the necessary bravery, so having solid reinforcements is crucial. A few reasons why it’s important are:
Giving yourself a chance to develop is a powerful move. It might be difficult to grow personally, professionally, and socially if you never leave your safe space. Fearful as these experiences may be, they frequently pave the way to great development and openings.
Learning more about who you are requires venturing outside of your safe space. What exactly do you have to worry about? Why do you feel uneasy? Is this how you feel when you’re with some people?
Understanding and gaining insight into who you are and how you react is important.
Leaving your safe space will help you grow in confidence and bravery. Your self-assurance will increase as you overcome your inhibitions and try new activities. Since each person’s journey is unique, the means by which one acquires self-assurance may vary from person to person. Give your full attention to developing yourself and achieving your objectives.
Experimenting with new forms of expression and forcing yourself out of your usual routine is crucial. It’s possible that you’ll find enjoyment in some previously unanticipated pursuits. If you can find the courage to start exploring new territory, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Is it possible to grow without leaving your comfort zone? Can you explain what you mean?
Everyone has the potential to develop, in my opinion. Individuals develop in their own unique ways. Can you grow without challenging yourself? Yes, but it will be a much further trip, a steeper hill, and a much longer route. You’ll miss out on the exciting adventure that is attempting something new and different if you stick to your “comfortable” routine. When you venture off the beaten path, you may find that your final destination does not resemble your original vision at all. Because of the difficulty of the journey, you now value the destination more highly.
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?
We discovered the hard way that business collaborations aren’t always successful. Unfortunately, our business partnership failed to produce results. Despite our best efforts, it was clear that this arrangement was not working well for us. After my husband and I chose to part ways with our partner, we realized it was time to form Gables Construction Group as a team. It was for the best, but it pushed us to the edge of our comfort zone. From humble beginnings, via collaborative client acquisition, to market dominance in the roofing and construction industries, we’ve worked tirelessly to rise to the top.
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”?
1) Take It Slow: It might be very intimidating to try something brand new. If you compare yourself to veterans of the field and worry that you won’t measure up, you might be in for a rude awakening. You can avoid this by dividing a large project into smaller, more manageable chunks. Give all of your attention to the initial stage.
2) Treat Yourself: Create a list of everything that makes you feel uneasy. Add more and more items as you go. Put a reward next to each activity or product. Try to knock out one item on your to-do list every day or every week. When you finish an item on your list, give yourself the accompanying reward.
3) Own The Fear: When venturing outside of your comfort zone, it’s crucial to keep your distance from the “fear” zone and instead focus on the “growing” zone. The first step is to accept that you have a fear and acknowledge it. When you admit your fears outright, you free yourself to concentrate on the here and now and on taking the next few steps.
4) Who Do You Admire: Imagine someone you admire and who you know has nothing to fear. Take action, imagine yourself succeeding, gain knowledge from your experience, and carry on. It’s fine to ease into things by dipping your toe in the water, but once you’ve gotten used to the temperature, you should dive right in.
5) Remember Your Why: There’s no point in staying in your slump if you’re serious about developing your business and career and are aware, for instance, that you need to network more to get there. Make sure you feel worthy and confident by reminding yourself of your past successes before venturing forth.
We were venturing into new waters when we launched Gables Construction. It’s challenging to balance work and marriage, but we know how to separate the two. I handle Operations when Albert is out in the field. When our duties begin to overlap, we work together to find a compromise that satisfies everyone. When we first worked together, we were both employed by different firms, so merging our respective talents was a bold move. We promised each other and our company that we would stick together. After more than two decades in business, we have established ourselves as an industry leader.
From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that keep someone from pushing out of their comfort zone?
In my opinion, it all comes down to fear, confidence, and results. The reluctance to proceed, the confidence to follow through, and the acceptance that the outcomes “may” not yield the desired results.
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?
Great quote! It means to set yourself up to do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do, such as making a cold call, going for a larger client, enrolling in a new training course, or attending a conference and meeting new people.
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?
I am currently on the board for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami and I love their mission of assisting deserving low income families with an opportunity to become homeowners. It is something that I will continue to do through my company and for my community.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
Shakira! Her love for those around her, commitment to her family, and global success in business are all admirable qualities.
How can our readers follow you online?
Website: http://www.gablesconstructiongroup.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gablesconstructiongroup/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gables-construction-group
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
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.
Marisol Arboleda Of Diaz Gables Construction Group On How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone To Grow… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.