Well, hello there! Heading over here from CBSPhilly.com’s Bloglight series? Welcome to the Get Gutsy blog! Here’s a great place to get started. And, of course, you’ll want to join the Get Gutsy newsletter community to grab your free Get Gutsy ebook and inspiration, ideas and action items to get out of your comfort zone delivered straight to your inbox twice a month.

Whether it’s your first time here or you’ve been part of the community for awhile, it’s time for a refresher on all things gutsy.

Getting gutsy means stepping out of your comfort zone to reach your goals and live a life that makes you truly happy.

It’s about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, making moves, exploring new opportunities and embracing adventure…all on your own terms.

Here are the 5 things I know for sure about what it means to get gutsy.

1. It means getting uncomfortable. No one likes feeling uncomfortable, right? The most important (and most challenging) part of getting gutsy is learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Because THAT is where you will grow, change and reach your goals. If you have butterflies in your stomach, you’re doing something right. Learn to love those little guys.

2. Getting gutsy doesn’t have to mean doing something crazy. When people hear the phrase “get gutsy,” oftentimes they think of crazy activities like jumping out of a plane or quitting your job to travel the world. These things are gutsy, yes, but there are both small AND large ways you can get gutsy in your everyday life. Getting gutsy could mean setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier each morning to pursue a side business. It could be meeting a Twitter friend in person for dinner for the first time. It could even mean standing up for yourself at work. YOU can create your own definition of gutsy.

3. You need support. Sure, you could get gutsy alone, but I guarantee you’ll have even more success when you’re part of a community. Encouragement from supportive friends and family can make all the difference when you’re doing something new that takes you out of your comfort zone. You could also become a part of this blog’s community! The people who read this blog are motivated, passionate go-getters pushing each other to reach their goals every day.

4. You have to get out of your own way. Want to know the number one roadblock to getting gutsy and reaching your goals? Yourself. Oftentimes, we hinder our own success out of fear. We need to get out of our own way to make room for our big dreams.

5. It’s not easy. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Getting gutsy takes time, energy and most of all, passion. But you, you’re special. And I know you can do it. After all, that’s why you’re here, right? Let’s do this together.

Here’s what two awesome members of the community have to say about getting gutsy:

“Getting gutsy is a way to break down the barriers that confine you; it’s being brave enough to remove your safety net so you can create a meaningful life one gutsy move at a time.” -Janelle Foltz, The 20 What blog

“To me, to getting gutsy means to dare not only to dream big, but to also go out of your comfort zone to get it done. To be accomplished, driven, ambitious and focused!” -Katharina Sommerkamp, 100 Miles Highway blog

What do you think? What does getting gutsy mean to YOU? Tell me in the comments below and we’ll add some of your definitions to this post!

PS- Want to share your gutsy story? STAY TUNED! The 2015 Get Gutsy Essay Contest launches next month. Join the Get Gutsy newsletter community to be the first to hear all the details.

Want more gutsy content delivered straight to your inbox twice a month? Be sure to sign up for my FREE #GetGutsy e-newsletter filled with inspiration, ideas and action items to get out of your comfort zone. When you sign up, you’ll also be sent a FREE copy of the Get Gutsy ebook, filled with 19 inspirational stories to help you get gutsy.