‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone’ – Neale Donald Walsch
Comfort zone means a situation where one feels safe or at ease. It also means a settled method of working that requires little effort and yields only barely acceptable results.
To me stepping out of a comfort zone involves intentionally moving into an uncomfortable space to enable you achieve some set goals. It could be as a result of expanding into new market territories, obtaining a loan to expand your business. It could also mean to work on a new business venture, travel to a new country, take up a new course. However, after a while, that uncomfortable space now becomes very comfortable and we love to remain there for as long as possible. Lately, I have been reflecting on what it means to thrive outside of your comfort zone.
Stepping out of your comfort zone generally connotes being uncomfortable, doing something new or foreign, anxiety, ‘butterflies in your stomach. However, despite these negative emotions, it is usually characterized by a newness, freshness, exploration, stretching, and growth.
If the positives outweigh the negatives of being outside your comfort zone, why is this not an activity that we frequently undertake? This is why I recently began to reflect on what it means to thrive outside your comfort zone. Thrive means – to flourish, bloom, grow vigorously. So to me, it means to intentionally and constantly challenge yourself to regularly move out of your place of safety and comfort. It means to be comfortable always having ‘butterflies in your stomach’.
I have recently stepped out of yet another major comfort zone. While I am confident that this is a step in the right direction, and presents opportunities for significant growth in all areas and feels exhilarating, it also comes with some level of trepidation.
One of the most common fears that we face is “What if I fail?” but, have you asked yourself, what if you succeeded?? How else does one deal with these fears?
- Know that this is a very normal feeling, when growth is taking place
- Know and focus on your why – Why have you made the decision to step out of your comfort zone
- Affirmations – this is when you make affirmations of what you imagine the end to be as a result of stepping out of your comfort zone. This is so important because of the doubt and uncertainty in your mind, which oftentimes leads to fear. As a result of fear, it is much easier to retreat to your old place of safety.
- Positive Influencers – Surround yourself with those who believe in the step that you have decided to take. It’s astonishing what the power of negative influencers can have on you. So beware of naysayers and doubters.
In order to thrive while you create change in your life, you have to be willing to take different risks, step into growth, so you can get different results. Here are some of the different results you will get in your life by stepping out of your comfort zone:
- You’ll be amazed of what you’re capable of – you’ll tap into gifts that you were not aware you had.
- You’ll get clarity about each step to take as you follow your path, often times the steps won’t be revealed until you commit to pursue your path
- Amazing synchronicities and coincidences will start to happen with more regularity in your life
- You’ll feel a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction with your life and life becomes a joyful and creative adventure that always was meant to be.
Question: Have you stepped out of your comfort zone this year? If yes, what has been your experience? If no, what is holding you back?