Aaron Doughty is widely known for his YouTube videos and social media posts relating to manifestation. After listening to his podcast episode titled “The STRETCH Identity Experience,” I began implementing the content of the episode into my life, which has already brought me multiple opportunities within my career.

The Stretch Experience “is where you do something the old identity would’ve never done.” These things might include something you may have previously found embarrassing, or something you’ve always been too nervous to try.

It may be extremely challenging, but it’s equally rewarding.

In his podcast, Aaron recounts a series of stories in which he consciously used the Stretch Experience, meaning he included it as a part of his normal routine. He starts off by talking about when he used to be afraid of talking on camera.

“I went to the Las Vegas strip with a selfie stick… and talked loudly about esoteric stuff people were going to judge me about. And then what I did is I went inside of the Caesar Forum Shops, a very busy place, and it’s much more quiet. Guess what happened about a half an hour after this process? I started to think I was a bad***.”

He now has over 1 million YouTube subscribers.

YouTube, where he makes videos talking to a camera.

I didn’t have to think twice about incorporating this form of “stretching” into my life. I knew that the only way to get myself out of my comfort zone was to try new things, so I thought of it as a sort of challenge.

I started by giving myself three stretch experiences a week, and no, these don’t have to be some huge and out-of-the-box experience. My beginning experiences included small things like staying after class to talk to one of my professors for a while, or DMing a new friend on Instagram to make (very vague) plans to hang out.

By speaking with my professors, I immediately created a relationship where I knew I could go to them for anything that I may need, and they learned a bit about me and how much I care for the class.

By taking that (small) step to make a new friend, I created a window of opportunity for me to hang out with them every once in a while, or get invited to gatherings where I could meet more people.

Now, my stretch experiences include taking bigger steps.

I don’t hesitate when intimidating opportunities present themselves. I’ve learned how to stop shying away from occasions where I’d be completely out of my comfort zone, scared that I might embarrass myself or that someone might judge me.

“It changes your whole life. Not just your success, but your money, your relationships. You start unapologetically being you.”

Try including the stretch experience in your life and see how far it can take you!