Comfort zones are comfortable for a reason. They don’t require anything of you, you don’t require anything from them; there’s mutual trust. If stepping out of your comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory is the most uncomfortable thing, then why do we crave it so badly?
Change is never easy, everyone knows that. Honestly, I can’t recall anyone who constantly has the forethought to actively chase down change and grab it by the throat. But, perhaps that is exactly the problem, we don’t know of anyone who has done what we perceive as unthinkable! How would we even know where to start?
For the longest time, I have been stuck in what seems like this never-ending loop. It starts off with being happy with where the comfort zone lies and then slowly cycles to solemnly gazing out past the line. Always daydreaming about how things could be different. The line is never pushed, never pulled.
If we crave change so badly, why can’t we just do it?
Just do it. Nike’s famous branding, haunts my dreams. Love the brand, hate the motto.
Just Do it.
-Nike
It just seems so easy! People can set their sights on something, and they get it done. I know a few people of that calibre. They absolutely amaze me, and I envy their ability to push their uncomfortableness aside and start stepping out of the comfort zone.
So how does one get there? Practice. Practice. And more Practice. Just one step at a time.
Of course that sounds absolutely silly and absurd and cliche, but it’s cliche for a reason!
3 Tips to Stepping out Of Your Comfort Zone
The first step? Forget what everyone thinks about you. You have your own path, your own comfort zone to get out of, so don’t worry about what people are doing in their own defensive end. Your job is not to control what they think of you, it will only waste your limited energy. This one may be hard for fellow people pleasers.
The second step is to figure out where the end goal is. Precision is key. Wandering around is going to take the wind out of your sails, and the comfort zone will get you to waste your energy on things that don’t matter. This makes breaking out so much harder if there is no clear focus.
Thirdly, be consistent. Motivation comes from consistency, so the longer you continue to step out and move down the path you want, the more faith you will have in yourself to continue the process. Of course, there will be times where you occasionally fall down. It is important to realize that this only helps you, because proving to yourself that you can get back on track, is more of a reward than that chocolate bar.
Undeniably, there will never be a straight line to success. As hard as it is, believing that there is a way through that comfort zone and actually moving past it, is going to be the best thing you will have ever accomplished.
Obviously one cannot speak on changing for the better unless one is currently challenging her own comfort zone, so behold. Here is my vulnerable self, posting my first post online! Change cannot happen, until I make the ultimate decision to put in the work.
So what are you waiting for? Go practice stepping out of your comfort zone!