Every morning I wake up with some butterflies in my stomach. It’s not a sign of anxiety or impending doom, it’s a sign that each day is another opportunity for progress. There’s new profit on the line, a fresh battle to be fought.

When I first started out in sales I looked forward to a point in my career where I could operate with total self-assuredness. Now, years later, I know that day will never come.

What I have learned over the years is that if you are comfortable it probably means you aren’t doing anything great. Everything in life that is worth something takes sacrifice and usually makes you step out into the unknown.

It’s a sign of perpetual growth. We’re nervous because we’re trying new things, finding new problems so we can create perfect solutions. We are setting incredible goals that we don’t always reach. It’s easy to set a goal based on a reliable projection, shoot some fish in a barrel so we can exchange “attaboys” and pats on the back.

I set goals that are going to require immense amounts of effort and creativity. If we don’t hit the mark, we’ve surely innovated along the way. People let the fear of failing keep them from setting huge goals and would rather be comfortable than challenged. Think of all the great leaders of our time, they broke the status quo, they didn’t fit in, and they surely didn’t try something that made them comfortable. Greatness comes from doing things that others can’t or simply are too scared to do.

So if you’re nervous, don’t be worried. It’s a sign of growth. Let it continue to push you toward a new personal best.  If you are reading this and you’re not nervous what are you doing?