Stepping Outside your Comfort Zone with Rejoice Ojiaku

Sarah: 00:00:06

Hello everyone, and thank you very much for joining us for another episode of the SEO Mindset podcast. And your host today is myself, Sarah. Hopefully you should be recognized in my voice by now. This week we're chatting about a very important subject, and that is stepping outside your comfort zone. I know, not a bit scary, but don't worry, we've got some handholding and great advice and expertise from Rejoice Ojiaku. And we'll be talking about benefits, overcoming obstacles, and Rejoice will also be sharing her own personal experience. So before we get Rejoice on, just want to talk to you about a little reminder about how you can support the podcast. You can donate a one off payment of five pound via our Buy Me a Coffee page. Link is in the show notes, and you can also subscribe so that you never miss an episode. So whenever we have a new one, if you subscribe, then you'll get notified. So link in the show notes for that as well. But it's basically a link that takes you to a page where you can click to whatever podcast playing platform that you use. Right, let's welcome Rejoice.

Rejoice: 00:01:20

Hi, how are you?

Sarah: 00:01:23

I'm very well, thank you.

Rejoice: 00:01:26

How are you? Doing well. Really having a great day today.

Sarah: 00:01:34

That's amazing news. Obviously, you had a big move recently.

Rejoice: 00:01:40

To Dubai, left the UK, moved to Dubai, and I'm just going to see how it goes. Yeah.

Sarah: 00:01:51

I could tell by that matter smile on your face that you're having a wonderful time. I think we might have just lost you a little bit.

Sarah: 00:02:04

Good. The video froze. That is all fine. That is all fine. How hot is it?

Rejoice: 00:02:11

Is it's like 35 degrees? So, yes, it's very hot. It's very hot at the moment. It's like 30, 35. It was like 35 yesterday. And it's kind of going hotter because someone has come in. So we say 536 all the way up to 14 or 48.

Sarah: 00:02:37

I mean.

Rejoice: 00:02:41

I don't like when it gets too hot. Right now it's hot, but there's breeze coming through. When it gets to, like, summer, it will be almost 90% humid. You can't do anything in 90% humid river.

Sarah: 00:03:02

Because always the question is, do you prefer to be too hot or too cold? Right? And I feel too cold is always easier to get warm because when you.

Rejoice: 00:03:11

Can'T get yeah, I prefer to be too cold because I can layer up. Because even when you get too hot and you're just wearing, I don't know, nothing in your house, you're still like, oh my God, I need to get out my skin. Yeah.

Sarah: 00:03:29

Well, hopefully it doesn't get too hot over there for you. Yes. I'm glad to hear that the move has been good. Enjoying yourself? This is great news. Right? So we're talking about and it's actually quite fitting what we're talking about today because you've definitely stepped out of your comfort zone, right? So, yeah, let's kick stuff off, then with can you share with our listeners and our audience your own personal experience?

Rejoice: 00:04:02

So I think across my career, there's been several times I had to be uncomfortable in order for me to gladly move out of my comfort zone. From the first time I had to speak at an event, pitch an idea, and move in countries, or the first time I started a community. And I think it's even like first time taking on moving from an executive role to a manager role. So there's so many different times I have to step out. And I think each time you always second guess, am I doing the right thing? Am I going to fail? Am I going to like it? Am I even good enough to do it? So all of these questions kind of come in, and sometimes I think, speaking with Lord Slinger, who was like my mentor for the Women in Tech SEO Mentorship program, we talk about something called the internal no. And that internal no is what keeps us in our comfort zone, and it doesn't allow us to kind of come out of it, because we're saying no to ourselves and we're saying that this can't happen. And I think you have to sort of I have to learn how to sort of say yes or say, what's the worst that could happen? It's never a life or death situation. Moving to a new role. You won't die. I mean, if it's not for you, go back to what you're doing. But I think stepping out your comfort zone, it's not about whether you're going to make it. I think the more important stuff is just trying. Once you try, you will know. And I think that's what I tend to do. I just want to say that I have tried it to know if I can't do it.

Sarah: 00:05:55

Oh, 100%. And I don't know if you'd agree with this, but nine times out of ten, the thought of something is always much scarier than the actual.

Rejoice: 00:06:06

I constantly agree with that because you play so many scenarios in your head and you create so many situations in your head, and it's so funny that the situations we create in our head and how we sort of look at it are always negative. No one creates a situation of, what if I actually make it? What if I become this amazing superstar? No one says that. Everyone will think, what if it all goes wrong? And I think that's such a huge difference in how we sort of think. So I completely agree it's scarier. The sport of it is a lot scarier than actually doing it.

Sarah: 00:06:42

Yeah. And it does make sense, isn't it? Because especially if we're doing something new for the first time, we don't really know what to expect, do we? Don't know what it's going to be like. I remember doing my first talk at Brighton SEO, and I was so in my head so nervous, so worried about all the ifs and buts all the what if this happens, what if this goes wrong, like you just said. But then as soon as I stepped onto the stage, I had a wonderful time, and it was really great. And there's so many times where that internal no that you spoke about, or the thought of something that gets in the way. Right. And that's really sad because yeah. That gets in the way of opportunities. Right? Yeah. Awesome. Okay, so what benefits can people get from stepping out of their comfort zone?

Rejoice: 00:07:40

Knowing your ability. That's always a benefit. Knowing what you can actually do and what you can't do. We talk about when people ask us what is our strengths and our weakness, sometimes we get stuck on that question because we don't step up enough to know what is a strength for his weakness. We don't try. So the benefit of coming out of your comfort zone, it's just really, for me, discovering yourself, I think that's the most powerful benefit. Discovering who you are and discovering what you can do. What you can't do. Because once you know that, once you have an understanding of that, you will know how to curate a journey in your career, or curate a journey in your life, or curate a journey in your relationships, whatever it is. So in the concept of a career, if you step out of your comfort zone, you will see progression happen to you in a much easier way and much easier process than you feeling. Stagnated each and every single time, because you keep trying to do things that are just okay, are safe and in, I guess, the SEO industry, you kind of have to be risk takers a little bit. Innovation, collaboration. They are whiskey part to it. So we have to kind of be more comfortable in doing things that makes us uncomfortable. So working in a new team, you could be someone who's always worked by yourself. You've never had people who you have to collab with. So secondary comfort zone would be working with new people, move from freelancing to in house or agency. That can be a comfort zone that you're scared for. But for me, a major benefit I've always found is I always end up finding out something new about myself. I always know what I can do, what my strengths are, what my weakness is, and what I'm capable of. And I just think, as a human, that's just a great thing to know so that no one can question that, because you can't question me and say, oh, well, you don't know how it is to work out in another country. Well, actually, I do. I've done it. I've done it. You become a lot more relatable to a wider range of people because you're trying different things. You've seen how that works out. So that's my main benefit.

Sarah: 00:10:09

Yeah. And that's such a big benefit as well. And I think self awareness and knowing yourself is so, so important because like you say, it really helps with career progression, but also on a personal basis as well. If you get to know yourself more, you're taking these risks and you don't know what's going to happen, you're going to find out so much stuff about yourself, and that's going to be so helpful in the future. Because then when you're taking on new roles or new responsibilities, you can be like, I can do this bit, and I'm really comfortable with it, but I need help with this side of things.

Rejoice: 00:10:48

Right, I agree. Yes, I agree with that.

Sarah: 00:10:53

Okay. Are there any other benefits that you.

Rejoice: 00:11:04

It allows you to sort of meet new people, because if you think about the spaces in which in which people live or vibe on so, for example, me, I didn't know I entered a space of community builders before. I wasn't in that space. I didn't do it. When I placed the digital, I was meeting a whole new bunch of people that I wouldn't have met. So to me, that is also a good benefit. It's such a powerful tool to networking. People don't think that, oh, you not going to. Why should you do it? But networking can sometimes happen without you meaning it for it to happen. So by you just doing something that's completely different, but even switching from content to tech, you will find that, oh, you now know more tech people because you switched completely, or now you know a wider variety. When I started collaborating with digital PR, for some reason, I know so many Digital PR people now I'm seeing it everywhere. So it's just like you meet new people and also you upskill. You really upskill. You build on the skill set. You start to remember what skill sets are going to be useful, and you start to sort of acquire this new taste for different things and sometimes step out of your comfort zone can be a whole lifestyle change. So you don't know where you're going to end up. So someone who was maybe doing nursing and then decides, I'm going to try SEO, and you thrive. That is a completely different comfort zone. And I think we are locking ourselves and locking out opportunities by not stepping out. And that's just another benefit. The breadth of opportunities you will get by stepping out of comfort zone, it's unmatched. It's just unmatched and is a great pivot. It's a great way to sort of, I guess, maybe create the kind of working environment, the kind of work life balance you want, because now, you know, here is what I specialize in. And that's another part. You find what you want to specialize in because it's now more niche and you're trying different things. I've always sort of attributed to children children are never afraid to just try anything. So if we become like that and you will see how kids make friends with one and just talk and just do things and then they just decide, oh my, that doesn't work for me, I'm going to move on. And that is perfectly fine. And I think it has that benefit of thinking of that mindset that let me just go ahead and do it. Whatever happens, happens. And if it's positive, oh great. If it's negative, go back to where you were before.

Sarah: 00:13:52

Yeah. And that's such a good reminder that while you're trying these new things, the things that you don't like, just don't, just don't do it. And also I would rather be in a situation where I'm looking back at stuff, thinking, I've tried that stuff, at least I know, rather than thinking, I wonder how if I would be good at that, or yeah, it's much better trying stuff and knowing if you like it, rather than thinking what if? Welcome back. We're here for part two. Sorry. So yes, part one, we were talking all about why we should be stepping out our comfort zones, the benefits and all that wonderful stuff. So now we're going to get into tips. Okay, so obviously people, after hearing part one, they're like ready raring to step out their comfort zone. So how do people step out their comfort zone? Rejoice? What kind of tips can you give our listeners?

Rejoice: 00:15:05

I would definitely say utilize the community around you and the people you have around you. I think a lot of times what we don't do is tell others that we are wanting to try new things, wanting to try something different. Because when you kind of expose that you're ready for that, other people might be. Okay, well, I have this available if you want to try this or do you want to give us a go? So sometimes we don't know what opportunities lie around us that makes us step out of comfort zone because we don't actually speak up about it. We don't tell people that this is where we're at, this is what we're trying to do. So I think that's one tip is absolutely utilize your network, people around you, even if you're in certain communities, just speak up, say you're ready for this, it's fine, to be honest, to say you're scared and you're nervous about it, but you still want to sort of overcome that and do it anyways. What you find is that people are actually a lot more understanding because everyone has had to do it at some point, has had to step out of your comfort zone. So you're going to have that initial support there, but to sort of find ways to step out of it, open your mouth and lets people know that's where you're at.

Sarah: 00:16:22

So what would you suggest if someone's finding that they've got some people and support around them? But how can people go out and look for more support, if you know what I mean.

Rejoice: 00:16:39

Yeah, absolutely. So I think for me, when I first started speaking, when I got released, like, I didn't know what to do. What is stage presence? I was like, I thought of the ZEC. What is stage presence? And I think for me, I just asked, I just literally tweeted, are you social media? I just said, hey, I've done this. I would like some feedback. So sometimes it can be just maybe if you don't actually let people know this is what you want to do, you could have started it behind closed doors and then you're looking for that feedback. And I think through feedback, it does open the doors for more opportunities and support. And sometimes the feedback can just be, oh, can someone review this deck? Can someone kind of listen to my thought process? If I'm thinking about this in the right way? And a lot you will find random people, strangers you probably have never actually interacted with or spoken to, willing to be like, okay, sure, I can give that time and let's discuss it. Let's talk about it. Let's book a time. And slowly what happens then is you are building a relationship that you never initially wanted to build in the first place. But because you ask for feedback, you're meeting new people. So I think that could be an initial way people are on social media. And sometimes, if you don't even have that support network, a lot of times strangers can be beautiful supporters. They can absolutely great supporters who encourage you to sort of just give it a go and who will be there to actually listen. So I think that's another way to do it. Utilize your social media and just put out a post and see what comes back.

Sarah: 00:18:17

Yeah. Especially in the SEO community. I find it quite a safe space. Yes, you're going to get some negative people, but then you always do just ignore them. They don't warrant your time, energy and all of that stuff, do they, really? But most times, when I have reached out and done exactly what you're suggesting to do, loads of people have reached out. Because at the end of the day, I think we get in our heads that, like, there'll be some people that don't want us to succeed. When nine times out of ten people aren't like that, are they?

Rejoice: 00:19:06

No, not like that. They definitely much they want to see you win because it doesn't take anything away from them.

Sarah: 00:19:15

Yes.

Rejoice: 00:19:16

So that's why they're just like, why can't I help them? Or why can't I support So I think the fear is that we might get negative comments. You'll never really escape negative comments. I think you don't need to give it weight in, you don't need to give it attention. You don't need to give it that much insight into it. It could just be that's fine. And the beautiful things about negative comments is it lets you know who is not on your side, who's not for you. So you don't give them that energy, and you'll find you have a lot more people willing to support you than people who are not willing to support you.

Sarah: 00:19:52

And every time that I've tried something new, like, I remember doing my first ever talk at Brighton SEO, and most people in the audience are like, yeah, they're going to be like, wow, this person is really vulnerable right now. They're stepping out on the stage in front of people. How much courage do they have? Do you know what I mean? I think that's the way to look at it, isn't it?

Rejoice: 00:20:21

Yeah, absolutely. And I agree with that completely. And I think it's a good perspective to sort of look at it and come at you from, because then it kind of soothes you a little bit knowing that so no, I completely agree.

Sarah: 00:20:35

Is there any sort of mistakes that people need to try and avoid when they're stepping outside their comfort zone?

Rejoice: 00:20:44

I think one mistake is thinking that there's no return earn you can go back into your safe space. There is a return, and people think that, so don't, I guess, create that mistake that you feel like, okay, once I do this, there's no going back. No, you can go back. That's perfectly fine. Because once you step out, yes, it's scary. And I think the beauty of stepping out is, one, it teaches you and lets you know what is available to you, and two, it lets you know what you don't need to do. This is not for you. It teaches you about yourself even more. So that's perfectly fine. Another mistake I think people make is that thinking that stepping out of your comfort zone means you have to completely take a leap and take a jump. You can do it gradually. You can do it step by step. You can do it month by month and maybe year by year. So one year you can say, you know what, this year I want to do at least one speaking gig because you're so nervous, that's fine, you've done that one. And then you can just keep building up it's in your own pace. Don't think you have to completely dive into it. And I think that's what makes people put off they think it is that. So don't dive into it because what you don't want to do is overwhelm yourself and you don't want to sort of then panic in the midst of stepping out your comfort zone, because then you start to kind of lose your balance and you just feel as though it's not successful. Where when the issue was you just didn't take your own time. Another thing about stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the issues you do is don't try and copy how others do it. Don't try and copy the approach others take. Don't try and mimic the walk or the journey other people are taking to step out of the comfort zone. You don't need to do that. You need to really find yourself what makes you happy or what peaks your own interest. And I think doing that can allow you to then navigate and curate an experience that is suited to you if you try to mimic other people. The thing about that mimic other people is you don't have their personality, you don't have their thoughts, you don't have their mindset, or you might not actually have the opportunities that they have in front of them for them to sort of step out. So don't try to copy. Do it yourself or learn more about yourself and find where you fit. And I'll say, lastly, a mistake to avoid is trying to step out of your comfort zone in too many zones.

Sarah: 00:23:26

Nice.

Rejoice: 00:23:26

Pick one zone and one zone only and go there. So trying to do so many different things that you find scary and you find it's out of that comfort zone, it will only come back to haunt you because, again, you can quickly overwhelm yourself. Pick one zone, focus on that zone and then see how you feel. And then over time, if you have capacity, you can find another uncomfortable zone to step out to and that is perfectly fine. So those would be the mistakes I would say should avoid.

Sarah: 00:24:01

I love all them. And just one that came to my head as you were talking was say, I don't know, you signed up for your first talk, or whatever that thing is that you've decided, this is what I'm going to do, step out of my comfort zone. Don't put off preparation because I don't know if you've ever done this, but when you're scared or nervous about something, you push it off, don't you? You're like, oh, I don't want to, I'm going to push that off, I'm going to wait. Whereas the sooner you start prepping, the easier it's going to be and you're going to like yourself better, aren't you?

Rejoice: 00:24:36

Yes, absolutely. When I first started wanting to speak, there were too many I just said, oh, the next one, the next speaking gig, the next opportunity. And I just kept and kept doing that. And I just thought at some point I was like, joyce, if you keep doing this, you will never, ever do it. So I had to sort of prepare myself and think, okay, let me pick one speaking opportunity that I want and prepare myself, prepare my pitch before that deadline comes. And that's what is preparation, is essentially key. Don't push it off. Start as early as you can and just kind of gradually, because what that helps is you kind of gradually build up your confidence because, okay, you know what you need to do, you know what you need to talk about or you know the steps you need to take. So it's not this newfound information you've now decided to do last minute, but you've gradually understood the process, and by understanding the process, you feel a lot more at ease. And that will 100% help you once you decide to sort of take that first, that first walk into that uncomfortable, that discomfort that you think, oh, my God, I can't do it. That mindset that, oh, I've prepared for this. It helps you kind of attain that and helps you sort of like it hypes you up. Okay, I've done this, I've done that. I'm ready. I'm ready to go. And that's what you need. You need to be hyped up before you go.

Sarah: 00:26:02

I love that. Hype yourself up. Yeah. Be your own cheerleader. Is that what we kind of yeah. Awesome. Well, I've very much enjoyed this episode and this topic because yeah, as we've both been talking about this, we've both got massive grins on our face, aren't we? Because we're like, this is so exciting. We should be doing this, people.

Rejoice: 00:26:25

No, it's true. I think everyone should sort of take this and absolutely just try to do something different. It can be in anything. It doesn't have to be career based. It can be your personal life, spiritual life, whatever, your fitness journey, all of these things. It's just trying to sort of show yourself that you can do something that you won't normally do, you've always wanted to do, but was too scared to try it. Because at the end of the day, if it doesn't work out, fine. But the issue is you don't want to regret not trying. And I think that's where, personally, for me, that's why I try to do things that makes me nervous. I love the theme parks, but I'm actually scared of vibes.

Sarah: 00:27:10

Oh, really?

Rejoice: 00:27:12

I still go on it. I still go on it. I will talk myself up. Okay. Because I know when I'm going to go to theme parks. I prepared my mind, and every single time it's all fearful. But one thing I know is if I put off going to roller coasters, I would always be like, I wish I tried that. So always just try. Just try. You're going to sort of surprise yourself nice.

Sarah: 00:27:35

Right before we wrap up, because, yes, unfortunately, we've got to end at some point. At some point. It's sad. But what is that one key thing that you want people to take away from this episode?

Rejoice: 00:27:52

The one key thing is try. Just try. Just absolutely try. Give it a go and see where it leaves. Don't put it off because you're too scared. Trying is the hardest step. Once you've tried it, it becomes a lot easier. I think the scariest first hurdle is just getting that amped up to try and convincing yourself that, okay, I'm actually going to do this. So if you don't hear anything else and one thing only is don't be afraid to try.

Sarah: 00:28:28

Nice. Yeah. Love that. Best career advice that you've ever received?

Rejoice: 00:28:37

The best career advice that I've ever received is that I would say I think when I first started my first account management job, it was just I asked a manager, so what advice would you want me to what advice do you have? I look after this client. And she was like, be yourself. And it's so cliche. But I guess in a professional setting, we kind of think that we have to sort of be this professional being and our own authentic self. Our own self isn't professional, but it is. And that is what shapes me, kind of to love account management. Because once you're yourself, it's easier to manage clients. It's a lot easier because you don't have to always think, what do I say? Or how should I be? And I think clients know when, you know, when you're putting on the front. So you want to be yourself because really and truly, it is meant to be a human interaction. So you don't want to be this fake person around clients. Of course you can be like, your tone will change, but just be you. Be you and all things will work out. And you know what? You will be more liked being yourself than disliked. So I think that was the best career advice is being yourself. Be authentic version. Show up as you. Don't limit who you are. And that's helped me along the way, which is kind of where my confidence comes from, is that, you know what, I actually like myself. I think I'm going in the workplace and I'm just going to continue being rejoiced.

Sarah: 00:30:14

I love this. I'm going to try and say a big word now. My brain isn't going to allow it. Authenticity, is that a word? Yes. That will take you far. If you're just yourself, then yeah. And then you're not fake, are you? And then people can trust you. And if people don't like you, like you say, if you like yourself, it doesn't matter, they're just not your like yourself, that's fine.

Rejoice: 00:30:41

Yeah. And you'll be fine. And honestly, once I know people for who they are, it's a lot easier to communicate with them. Because I now know you. I know this is actually you. If you fake a communication style that's actually not yours, then you're going to get overwhelmed too quickly. So I always stick to me, like, okay, I know how I communicate, I know where my middle ground can be. I know when I'm being pushed to my limit. What I don't want to do is try to be someone I'm not and accept things that I normally know that this is actually going to be a detriment to me because that's not me showing up to work and being productive. If I'm trying to be someone else, that is completely going to undermine who I am. So I think. Whatever you can do in the workplace, whether you're ZEC, just try and be yourself. You can still be cordial and you can still be around people, but show you and show who you are, because once you become likable, you're easier to work 100%.

Sarah: 00:31:42

I love that. Everything that you're saying, I'm just like massive nodding on this. Like, yes. Right. Bit of a tricky question here because there's a lot of wonderful, wonderful SEO people out there. But I would like you to nominate or name an SEO person our listeners should be following and why.

Rejoice: 00:32:05

Oh, this is a good one. Who do I think is an amazing person to follow? Oh, actually, yeah, I would say Ash Liddle.

Sarah: 00:32:16

Okay.

Rejoice: 00:32:18

Ash Liddell. Because he puts out really great insightful tweets about SEO content AI. And I'm just like bookmark of bookmark. He's really lovely. I worked with him before. He's honestly so smart, so insightful, so Ashley Little. Absolutely. I think, yeah, he is fantastic. Follow him, you will learn a lot. You actually will learn a lot from him. And yeah, and he's just easy to talk to as well. He's so helpful if you need that. Questions, like, answered around content, AI search in that regard. Even like web three kind of content and strategy the guy to go to.

Sarah: 00:33:02

Awesome. Yeah. We'll pop his links in the show notes and then people can go and check him out and follow him. And where can people find you rejoice? Where can they carry on the conversation?

Rejoice: 00:33:17

Yes, absolutely. So great place would be well, two main places is LinkedIn, which is Rejoice ojaku, I come up? Or Twitter, which is Reggie Yates, which is R-E-J-I-Y-A-T-E-S. So those are the best few places. Send me a DM, send me a message and I will be more than happy to have a conversation. Just chitchat up about anything.

Sarah: 00:33:43

And obviously we're following each other on Twitter and I always enjoy because you regularly change your name, don't you, on Twitter? I do, which is always like my daily check. I'm like, oh, what is it today? Well, thank you. We'll make sure that your links as well are in the show notes so people can find follow you as well. But just want to say a massive thank you to you for coming onto the podcast and chatting about this important and great, great topic. So thank you so much.

Rejoice: 00:34:18

Thank you for having me. Honestly, it's been a really good conversation. I've actually enjoyed talking about this, so thank you.

Sarah: 00:34:24

I could tell. I can tell. And me too. Me too. Our cheeks are going to ache from smiling so much, aren't they? But yes. And I just want to say thank you to our listeners for tuning in for another episode of the SEO Mindset podcast. Reminder again that you can support us by donating to us on Buy Me a Coffee. And you can also subscribe to our podcast by going to the Seominset Co UK. Listen and then you'll never miss an episode. Those links will be in the show notes. And yes, um, we just need to say goodbye now. So goodbye and until next time. Bye.