5 Ways to Step Outside Your Comfort ZOne
Getting outside of your comfort zone means doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or even scares you. In order to expand, grow, and reach our fullest potential we have to push outside the limits of what’s familiar and comfortable. It’s truly where the magic happens. I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Maria Angelova of Rebellious Intl on How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone To Grow Both Personally and Professionally. Continue reading for highlights from the article including 5 ways you can step outside your comfort zone and tips for success you can easily implement and you take on new challenges and goals. Click here for the full interview.
Life’s greatest treasures wait on the other side of our comfort zone. Learn 5 ways you can confront fear, discomfort, and uncertainty to grow personally and professionally.
What is A comfort zone?
Before we get started talking with how you can get outside your comfort zone, it is important to understand The Learning Zones. Challenge is critically important to motivation, but when it comes to growth outside our comfort zone there is a sweet spot. If the goal is not challenging enough it limits our ability to expand our skills and capabilities (comfort zone). On the flip side, if the goal is too challenging we can panic, feel overwhelmed, and thus, lose motivation (panic zone). When you are ready to step outside your comfort zone, be thoughtful about what degree of stretch will keep you in that sweet spot (growth zone).
To find that growth zone week spot, I love using Dr. Jacinta M. Jimenez’s Stretch Goal Planning Barometer from her book The Burnout Fix. Ideally, you want your stretch goal to fall between a 4 and 7 in terms of stress/challenge out of 10. If you find you are above or below that range, adjust accordingly.
Why It’s Important to Get outside your comfort Zone
When it comes to what we want most in life, it typically requires some level of risk. Think about getting that promotion you’ve worked so hard for, starting a new business, beginning a new relationship or deciding to become a parent. All of these rich and rewarding life experiences require us to enter the realm of the unknown. To show up for these new adventures in life we must stretch ourselves. Bottom line: You take the ultimate risk in NOT leaving your comfort zone: never realizing your fullest potential.
A few ideas on why it's important to take risks and reach beyond what’s comfortable:
We get what we most want in life by learning new skills, expanding our capabilities, and reaching new heights. This is how we realize our highest potential and feel truly fulfilled.
With extended practice outside our comfort zone, what was once uncomfortable becomes comfortable, which motivates us to once again step into our growth zone. This zone lies just outside our comfort zone and is the space where we bravely take on new challenges and build self-trust, confidence, and mastery.
Most importantly, we discover who we are and the limitlessness of our capability when we chart the unknown territory of our growth zone. By confronting our fears, we increase our tolerance for the unknown and our resilience to overcome whatever challenge life throws our way, with grace and self-compassion.
5 Ways To Get outside Your Comfort Zone
Try A New Hobby
Think of something you have always wanted to try, or maybe an activity you loved as a kid but have lost touch with. Book that art class, download that language app, or schedule that skydiving trip. You won’t regret it.
Just do it.
Often, there are places in our life where we have convinced ourselves we need more education, experience, planning, etc. to go after something we truly want. The reality is that by telling ourselves we are not ready and putting energy into preparing for the leap, instead of just taking it, we are just keeping ourselves in our comfort zone. The distance from where we are to what we want to be is determined by our willingness to just do it – picking one simple action that will take you one step closer to your dreams. The question to ask is, “What can I do right now?”.
Take one small step toward a big dream.
We all have big dreams. That one thing that we have always wanted to do: write a book, start a business, travel the world, or host a community event. It can feel overwhelming because big dreams require a lot of work to accomplish. As the Chinese proverb goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just need to determine what one small action would get you closer to where you want to go. Each small step you take is progress toward your dream.
Grow a professional skill.
What skill would change the trajectory of your career and your overall satisfaction if you could get better at it? Look at your most recent performance review and/or review feedback from your boss and peers. Consider where you currently feel most challenged or have a lack of confidence. Make a plan for how you can grow in this area and ask others who do it well for feedback.
Make an uncomfortable list.
What are some simple things that make you uncomfortable? For example, going to dinner alone, taking a cold shower, striking up a conversation with a stranger, or asking that leader you admire to lunch. Over the course of a month, pick one that you will commit to doing each week. These small actions are opportunities for you to increase your tolerance for the discomfort we often feel outside our comfort zone. By facing your fear, you are also building self-trust, knowing that yes, you can do hard things. You may even find a new activity you enjoy!
Are you ready to step outside your comfort zone?
Whether you have a big dream, are ready for a change or simply want to take on a new challenge - you don’t have to do it alone. My 1:1 coaching programs are designed to help you develop a compelling vision for the future and start taking action to create a life and career you love. I empower you play in the sandbox of life and give you tools to navigate your growth zone with confidence. Sign up for a complementary chemistry session to learn more!