5 proven ways to step out of your comfort zone

Do you also believe that life begins at the end of your comfort zone? Growth is painful, you’re not used to it, it’s scary but worth it! Come along, let’s see how to step out of your comfort zone.

A comfort zone is a place where you’re so relaxed that even when you’re at a disadvantage, you make no effort to get out of it. It’s a familiar environment where you don’t have to do anything you don’t feel like, or you’re not used to, even if you’re “dying”.

The funny thing is that you may know what to do and how to do them, but you can’t wrap your head around actually doing it.  In a sense, it’s related to mediocrity, when you can grow financially, mentally, and spiritually and be fulfilled.

Examples of comfort zones

1. Expecting to lose weight but eating junk food every night while watching TV.

2. Engaging in work that is not fulfilling, but you’ve been there for years, even though you’re being underpaid.

3. Staying in a rented apartment when you can build a house.

4. Doing everything exactly how you thought or you’ve been doing them for years.

The problem is, you’re not going to get better results. With opportunities, you may not even notice them because you’re stuck in a cosy familiar environment with zero opportunities for growth.

 

Growth Mindset Vs. Fixed Mindset

Let me explain it this way. A mindset is like the pillar of a building. In the initial stages, the cement, stones, and sand water are shaped, supported with some temporary structures to hold them in place and made to set. After a while, when the structures have been removed the pillar is formed and supports the building. At this point, it is difficult to change the shape of the pillar unless the whole thing is destroyed, and probably the building loses support and comes crashing down.

 

That’s how mindset is, a wrong foundation of thinking may be difficult to change without much effort except in the formative years of an individual.

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Let’s look at a Fixed mindset vs. a Growth mindset.

Fixed Mindset	Growth Mindset
Only wishes to change	Puts in the effort to change
Does everything at their convenience	Works towards producing results
Uses the same method for years	Is open to new methods
Takes correction as a rebuke	Appreciates feedback
Does not realize opportunities/ realizes them but does not take advantage of them	Prepares for opportunities, recognizes them and takes advantage of them
Uses their limitations or weaknesses as an excuse to remain in the same spot or situation	Constantly looks for ways to be a better person recognizing their limitations/weaknesses
Scared of failure	Not scared to take chances and improve the next time
Always blaming someone or something else for not being happy or fulfilled	Likely to be more fulfilled

Step out of your comfort zone, break the cement/fixed mentality and give yourself the permission to grow……because no one else will!

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Why is it hard to leave your comfort zone?

I’m not saying you should be someone else. The bottom line is, that you may be sabotaging yourself even without knowing it. You should assess yourself on this one; your strengths, and weaknesses, taking your personality into consideration.

You just may be selling yourself short.

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Below are the reasons you find it difficult to step out of your comfort zone.

1. You’re comfortable there. It’s cosy and familiar.

2. You’re scared, “what if”.

3. You lack motivation.

4. You constantly make excuses.

How do I overcome my comfort zone?

Your comfort zone is a choice. You really do not just overcome it. You find your life’s purpose and hang on to it, daily. This is how you can go about it;

1. Start with the end in mind. Remind yourself every day of what it is you want to be done.

2. Start with what you already have or know.

3. Take it a day at a time, a task at a time.

4. Get an accountability partner.

5. Track your growth, and celebrate your progress no matter how small.

What happens when you leave your comfort zone?

You’re now open to a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities. Note however that not every opportunity is for you. Don’t be so enthusiastic that you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders as quickly as possible.

You’re someone’s hero or a group of people, but not the whole world. You’re not Superman! Find yourself, plan, strategize and you become;

1. You become more assertive.

2. You become conscious of the things that may impede your growth and work towards them.

3. You recognise who you are and the opportunities that could get you there.

4. You get better at your craft or fail and try again with a different method.

Step out of your comfort zone motivational quotes

1. As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.

-Robin S. Sharma

 

2. I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.

–Anonymous Quote

 

3. Don’t let fear make your decisions for you.

-Annette White

 

4. When was the last time you did something for the first time?

-Anonymous

 

5. The comfort zone is nothing else but a graveyard for your dreams & ideas.

-Anonymous

 

6. You can choose courage or you can choose comfort. You cannot have both.

-Brene Brown

 

7. Do one thing every day that scares you.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

 

8. The hardest thing to do is leave your comfort zone. But you have to let go of the life you’re familiar with and take the risk to live the life you dream about.

-T. Arigo

 

9. By leaving your comfort zone behind and taking a leap of faith into something new, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming.

-Anonymous

 

10. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

-Anonymous

 

11. We have to be honest about what we want and take risks rather than lie to ourselves and make excuses to stay in our comfort zone.

  –Ray Bennett

 

12. If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.

         –Anonymous Quote

 

13. No one likes to move beyond their comfort zone, but as the saying goes, that’s where the magic happens. It’s where we grow, learn, and develop in a way that expands our horizons beyond what we thought was possible.

           –Andy Molinsky

 

14. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

 –Wayne Gretzky

 

15. Face the fear, even if it’s only a tiptoe outside of your comfort zone instead of a leap. Progress is progress.

–Annette White

 

16. Real change is difficult at the beginning, but gorgeous at the end. Change begins the moment you get the courage and step outside your comfort zone.

― Roy T. Bennett

 

17. Don’t be afraid to switch it up. During the mix is where you may stumble upon exactly what you have been searching for that will help you find your niche.

      ― Germany Kent

 

18. Stop waiting for somebody to elevate your game. You are already equipped with everything you need to manifest your own greatness.

     ― Germany Kent

 

19. Doors will begin to open for you when you start living on purpose.

― Germany Kent

 

20. Step out on faith and walk into your purpose.

        ― Germany Kent

 

21. Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end…because, in the end, it shows you a whole new world !! Make an attempt.

― Manoj Arora

 

22. When you move your feet you unleash a wave of possibilities for God to do a mighty work in your life.

   ― Germany Kent

 

Before I started writing, as a young girl I would wonder if I had any gift or talent. I used to write, just for school work, and I never realised that was it because I never put myself out there enough to try doing things differently or try new things. Well, this is a story for another day. I’d leave this with you, ” The thought of you making the effort to step out of your comfort zone in itself is getting 50% of the job done. If you can think it, you can be it”.