February 2nd is Groundhog Day, and while most people think of Punxsutawney Phil predicting the weather, I can’t help but think of the Bill Murray film. While an engaging comedy, it’s also a story about growth, breaking free of repetitive cycles, and transforming a life stuck on autopilot.

In the movie, Murray’s character, Phil Connors, is forced to relive the same day over and over and over again. At first, he uses it to stay within his comfort zone, indulging in easy pleasures. But as time goes on, he realizes the only way to break free is by growing—by stepping outside of his comfort zone and becoming the best version of himself.

Much like Phil Connors, there have been times when I felt stuck. Loss had left me on autopilot, simply going through the motions. It wasn’t until I stepped into discomfort and took action—like writing Life After Losses to share my journey, starting my coaching work to help others navigate their own losses, and even committing to a 90-day fitness challenge to rebuild my own strength and resilience (to name a few)—that I began to see transformation.

Breaking Cycles and Taking Risks

After each of my losses, I felt like I was reliving the same day—stuck in survival mode, going through the motions on auto-pilot, unsure how to move forward. Like Phil, I had to ask myself: What can I change about myself to grow into the person I want to become?

Taking risks feels unnatural, but it’s where growth happens. Writing my first book, Life After Losses, felt just as scary as Phil’s decision to learn new skills and connect with others. I worried about how it would be received, but that leap opened doors to possibilities I’d never imagined.

Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, but it’s the only way to discover new opportunities. It’s not about being fearless, but feeling the fear and taking action anyway.

Lessons From Groundhog Day

The movie reminds us that growth doesn’t happen by staying comfortable. Transformation begins when we lean into the unknown.

Phil Connors starts his journey with small actions: learning to play the piano, helping others, and even ice sculpting. I also started by taking small steps—like writing a single paragraph for my book, sharing my thoughts in early blog posts, and gradually reaching out to others to build connections. They were small actions, but they were intentional. And they created momentum that allowed me to grow in ways I never thought possible. For me, my journey began with writing, tentatively at first, then with more purpose. Those small steps built momentum. The same is true for all of us.

Practical Steps to Break Free

“That’s all well and good,” I hear you thinking. “But how can I start looking at growth and stop being stuck in my own ‘Groundhog Day’?”

A few thoughts:

• Recognize Your Patterns: Reflect on areas where you feel stuck. What’s keeping you in a loop? Identifying these patterns is the first step toward change.
• Visualize a Better Future: Like Phil Connors’ eventual decision to live intentionally, take time to imagine the life you want. What does it look like? Write it down and let yourself dream without limits.
• Start Small: Identify one simple step you can take today to move closer to your vision. Is it writing that first paragraph of your own story? Reaching out to a supportive friend? Researching something that excites you? That first five minutes on a treadmill? Something small. Something intentional that builds momentum. As I shared last week, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, you don’t have to see the whole staircase—just the first step.
• Embrace Discomfort: Growth is messy and uncomfortable, but it’s where transformation happens. Lean into the challenges and trust the process.
• Seek Support: Share your goals with someone you trust. For example, the 90-day fitness challenge I’m participating in has 35 people. We check in daily, and it’s become a source of encouragement that keeps me going, especially on tough days. Accountability and encouragement truly can make all the difference. This challenge has reminded me of how powerful accountability can be.

Writing a New Chapter

Like Phil Connors, we all have moments when we feel stuck. But the truth is, breaking free of those cycles starts with one bold step. Writing my book, taking acting lessons, and committing to a fitness challenge worked for me. Each of those steps, though uncomfortable, brought me closer to a life of purpose and growth.

This week’s theme on social media and in the short, daily videos has been about stepping out of your comfort zone and creating moments to look back and say, “I can’t believe I did that.” That’s what growth looks like—taking risks, facing discomfort, and finding joy in the journey.

So, what about you? Are you ready to take that first bold step toward the life you envision? What will it be? Share your thoughts. Let’s inspire each other to embrace discomfort and growth. Together, we can turn our Groundhog Days into something extraordinary. If you haven’t subscribed to the YouTube channel yet, please consider doing so.