Stretch Zone
The Story Behind the Stretch Zone
The Stretch Zone takes people on a journey that resonates with their experience, demystifying confidence, providing the insights, principles and practices that unlock talent and potential under pressure.
The Stretch Zone developed out of 10 plus years’ coaching and training in talent and leadership, where I was initially intrigued that just about EVERYONE asks for help with their confidence.
What was interesting is that this was as much with people who would be described as hugely confident as it was with people who clearly lacked confidence.
‘‘EVERYONE has a stretch zone … and confidence is a challenge … for EVERYONE … who has the courage to step outside their comfort zones.’’
Glenn Widelko
We all have our Stretch Zones, where our confidence can:
hold us back so we achieve less than our potential
feel like hard work, draining our energy and impact
come and go, disappearing when we need it most
undermine creative ideas that never come to fruition
trigger overdone caution, so opportunities pass us by
sap our passion and enthusiasm, demotivating us
leave us questioning ourselves and our potential
The talented high performers I coach are dripping with talent and potential, yet under pressure, they hold themselves back.
And the well-worn path of confidence boosting hype doesn’t work … it drains our energy and distracts our focus.
So … I started to ask some questions:
What is confidence? How does it work? Where does it come from? How can I be so confident in some situations and lack confidence in others? What makes it appear and disappear? Where does it appear from? Where does it disappear to? How can I be truly confident anywhere, anytime?
Anyone can be confident …
… in their comfort zones. Yet it seldom matters.
When it matters, we find ourselves under the pressure of our stretch zones … and our confident best is anything but easy.
The Mistake we Make Under Pressure
When we psyche ourselves up with confidence boosting hype, we’re unintentionally ‘projecting’ a manufactured pretence over ‘suppressed’ fear and doubt.
And the effort and energy to sustain the projection and suppression only introduces more pressure, burning our energy and distracting our focus relentlessly – and our talents and potential remain frustratingly out of reach.
The Stretch Zone … provides an alternative … inspiring us to channel our efforts and energy differently!!
Opportunities to Master your Stretch Zones
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Everything you need for authentic confidence, with 7 modularised videos you can work through at your own pace in your own space.
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A follow up to TSZ Digital, this ‘top up’ video module will help you optimise your readiness to step into your stretch zone, with confidence.
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A questionnaire profiling you against 7 types of self-limiting doubt, enabling insight into how you hold yourself back under pressure.
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A questionnaire profiling you against 4 classic personality types, enabling you to connect with yourself and your confidence differently.
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A thought-provoking exercise to think about your natural strengths differently, optimising your potential across 54 core strengths.
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A preventative strategy to identify ways you’re likely to overdo your strengths under pressure, derailing your potential as a result.
‘An amazing, thought-provoking book – completely different!’
‘A simply written, profoundly penetrating book’
‘A profound, life enhancing book that is easy to read and is for everyone.’
‘This is a great read, breaking down all aspects of confidence.’
‘If only I had read this book 25 years ago!!’
‘Completely re-defines the concept of confidence.’
‘A breath of fresh air that cuts through the confusion.’
Feedback on the Book on Amazon
“If Only I had Read this Book 25 Years Ago!!”
“If only I had read this book 25 years ago I am sure I could have achieved far greater things in my career. The ability to overcome your self-doubt and really shine in those critical career moments is such a massive win for anyone aspiring to senior management positions that I would recommend this book to all aspirational students, junior managers, salespeople - almost anyone in fact. I will be encouraging my 14-year-old son to read it soon. “
“An Excellent Book, Invaluable for Anyone Who Wants to Really Stretch Themselves and see How Far They Can Go. “
“This is an excellent book, written in an understated non-sensationalist way, it picks apart a host of misconceptions about what confidence is and how we get it and why we need it, then goes on to tell us how to build real lasting confidence which can be tapped into when required. Particularly when outside your comfort zone when those inner reserves are needed.”
“Completely Re-Defines the Concept of Confidence.”
“I have reservations about books and programs that try to help people to get out of their comfort zone, as they often promote behaviours that come from stereotypes. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach. This book shows how to strip out all the misconceptions about confidence and find it within. It's a little gem!”
“A Simply Written, yet Profoundly Penetrating Book.”
“The Stretch Zone is a simply written yet profoundly penetrating book within which Glenn presents the substance rather than the sizzle. There are no tricks; no complex models; no psychological jargon. Glenn writes from his deep personal experience and he writes from the heart. He successfully demystifies confidence, what it is, how we get it and can keep it.”
“5.0 out of 5 Stars I Feel Like a Different Person.”
“Since reading The Stretch Zone some months ago I feel like a different person with many positive changes personally and professionally – I’m no longer just a ‘people pleaser’ always putting others first, I’m saying ‘no’ more often and only doing what I’m comfortable with. I speak up and contribute more to meetings and discussions, realising what I’ve got to say is worthwhile and I’m no longer intimidated by people who I previously felt had more relevant contributions to make or spoke louder, recognising the strength within me. The book is easy to read in small chunks, with summaries at the end of each chapter. The Stretch Zone has meant real change for me – helping me discover more about who I am and what I’m capable of achieving.”
“Offers Real Insight.”
In our age of information overload it is rare to come across real insight that fundamentally changes your perception. The Stretch Zone has done just that - completely demystifying what confidence is and how it works allowing me to almost instantly realise that it already exists within.
“A Breath of Fresh Air that Cuts through the Confusion.”
“Everyone can read The Stretch Zone, it speaks to every character and personality – it is a breath of fresh air that cuts through the confusion, bringing confidence back to where it belongs, explaining it in such a succinct manner that it resonates across your life – I’d never have considered confidence in this way. “