I’m a big Ottawa Senators fan. Yesterday their coach, Craig Hartsburg, began messing with their line combinations. The biggest change: splitting up Heatley and Spezza, two guys who have played together pretty much since Heatley joined the Sens. Other coaches have moved Alfredsson on and off that line, but for the most part, the other two guys have always been together.
Until now. When asked about the risk he was taking in splitting Heatley and Spezza up, Hartsburg said this: “Why not? Everybody keeps telling me they’ve got to play together. That’s just comfort. We have to get them out of that … there’s no reason why anybody can’t play with anybody on this team. The comfort, the excuse level is out.”
I like that. He’s right. It’s far to easy to get comfortable with our routine. We do things a certain way, so often, that we become convinced it’s the only way of doing it. And yet, perhaps we are limiting ourselves in what we could possibly experience because of our comfort zone.
Let’s face it, a professional hockey player should be able to play with anyone. Sure, there will be guys that he has chemistry with, but in a league where teammates come and go, you had better be able to shine no matter who is lined up with you. Heatley did show that he could play without Spezza when he was forced to (when Spezza was out with an injury). Sometimes, we have to be pushed out of our comfort zone.
I like to preach a certain way. Someone jokingly said a few weeks ago that having a stool next to the pulpit has become a comfort thing for me. Perhaps they’re right. I like the option of sitting while I speak — it just feels more natural for me.
But, again I ask, are we missing out on new experiences because we are stuck in our comfort zone?
Try something today. Do one thing differently than you usually do it. Maybe something simple: take a different route to work. Order a different style of coffee on your break. Something.
If you’re not careful, the coach might force you out of your comfort zone.
