“I will guarantee you that the day you step outside your comfort zone by making success your goal is the day you discover that adversity, risk, and daring will make life sweeter than you ever imagined.” – Mark Burnett
Are you where you want to be in your life? Or has life turned into a routine, without challenges, without fear, without growth- “same old, same old”?
Do you find yourself resisting situations that require you to leave your comfort zone?
Do fear and anxiety keep you from dealing with unavoidable situations and emotions?
It is a universal human trait to seek comfort. We resist stepping beyond our comfort zone, as we feel safe and secure in what we know. In our comfort zone, there is a sense of familiarity, security and certainty. When we risk stepping outside what we have coined our comfort zone, that risk is often followed by feelings of stress and anxiety; we’re not quite sure what will happen and how we’ll react. Consider that seeking too much comfort is what is holding you back and inhibiting the personal growth necessary to reach your goals.
Watch my video as I share what builds the invisible walls of your comfort zone and what you can do to begin to deconstruct those walls. Find out how I learned to manage fear, when I quit my job, sold my house, left Toronto and started my business.
What is the comfort zone?
“The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fears.” – Dan Stevens
The comfort zone, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary means a situation in which you feel comfortable and in which your ability and determination are not being tested. Comfort zones vary from person to person, however, it is that area in your life in which you feel familiar, at ease and in control.
3 Signs you may be stuck in your comfort zone!
There could be many different reasons as to why someone doesn’t take the proper action that is required to follow their dreams and goals, but more times than not it’s the stories your mind creates to keep you feeling safe. Pay attention to conversations or more specifically excuses such as procrastination, research and extensive preparation and perfection as signs you are stuck in your comfort zone!
Given these warning signs, do you think you’re stuck in your comfort zone? Take a moment to assess your professional life. Now, look at your relationships and personal life. What do you see? Are you excited about life and energized by your work? If the answer is NO, possibly you have been standing in one place too long and it is time for change.
5 simple steps to expand your comfort zone!
1- Make a Decision. Begin with a vision that is worthy of your life. A vision that inspires you to sustain your feeling of discomfort. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., says it all: “Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.”
2- Formulate a plan. I recommend making an action plan with dates and times. Set small goals that move you in the direction of your vision. It is important to evaluate each small step and celebrate your successes along the way.
3- Accept that you are going to be uncomfortable. Before you step outside your comfort zone, prepare your mind for the discomfort. Remind yourself that moving through fear and discomfort is the primary way by which we grow. Each time you consciously choose to step outside of your comfort zone, it will condition your mind to better cope with fear and uncertainty. As you strengthen your mindset, the next uncomfortable thing becomes a little bit easier.
4- Give up your need to be perfect. Perfection is an impossible expectation that stands in the way of greatness. Begin to see each missed effort as an opportunity to learn, grow and course correct. Learn to use the data from each miss to take your next informed action.
5- Take informed action. Now you’re in a place where you’re prepared to take informed action. Each step you’ve taken has given you information that will, in turn, inform your next step. Whether you fail, whether you win, whether you’re off course, all that is data to help you on the journey.
In truth, your comfort zone is not really about comfort, it is about fear. Break the chains of fear and risk stepping beyond the familiar. Once you do, you will learn to embrace the discomfort and enjoy the gifts that are only available as you grow, learn and become more.
Success and leadership begin with first mastering the mindset, emotions and communication of the person you see in the mirror. Register for your Complimentary Mindset Mastery Mini-Course!