You’ve heard the saying before and here it is again, nothing good ever happens in your comfort zone. Playing it safe will keep you exactly where you are. If you are happy with that, that is absolutely fine, you can stay there. If you want change in your life, however, you have to get a little uncomfortable and stretch the limits of your comfort. Here are some simple ways to get out of your comfort zone.
1. Do Something That Scares You Every Day
The best way to get out of your comfort zone is to do something you find scary every day. This doesn’t necessarily mean going bungy jumping or doing something extreme, but there are small ways to put yourself out there. For instance, if talking to others makes you uncomfortable, but you want to be more sociable, then start saying, “Hi, how are you today?” to strangers. It can be to people you pass in the hallway at work, in the grocery store, or on the street. Think about what you want to improve or attain and think of ways you can put yourself out there little by little to achieve it.
2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone By Failing on Purpose
The most successful people who have ever lived have failed more times than anyone else. They have succeeded because, despite these failures, they were able to pick themselves up and keep going. Most people stay in their comfort zone because they fear failure. They can’t stomach the fact that they may fall flat on their face or even be humiliated. If you want to succeed in anything, you have to be comfortable failing. So fail on purpose. Join a contest or do something where the odds are stacked against you. Not only will you learn from your failure but you’ll become more efficient at brushing it off and moving forward.
3. Change Your Routines
Our daily routines are a result of habit and comfort. Everything we do and how we do it on a daily basis moves us towards comfort. You get up at the same time every day, you get coffee from the same place, you drive to work the same route, etc. You can push yourself out of your comfort zone just by changing up your routines. Drive a different way to work, get up a half-hour earlier, eat lunch with someone else, etc.
4. Let Go of Control
If you are used to making all the decisions in your life, try letting someone else drive for a bit. Let someone at work make the final decision, let your spouse choose the meal plan for the week, or let someone else decide where you go on vacation. Most people stay in their comfort zone quite easily because they control every aspect of their day-to-day. If you have a hard time letting go of control, then this is a perfect opportunity for you to get out of your comfort zone. Let someone else run the show sometimes.
5. Say Yes To Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
If there are things that you normally say no to because it would make you feel uncomfortable otherwise, start saying yes. Go join your coworkers for happy hour, host a get-together at your home, go try out for the local play, volunteer to give the weekly briefing at work, for example. Start saying yes to things that you normally stay away from.
6. Become Someone Else
Sometimes it’s difficult for us to see ourselves doing something that takes us out of our comfort zone. You may think, “Oh I could never do something like that.” If you struggle with these types of thoughts, try changing your identity. Who would you have to be to “do something like that”? Pretend you are that person. At one point in my life, I created a persona that I was striving to become. He was talented, he was courageous, and he was successful. I would often ask myself, “What would he do?” Then I’d do it. Try to adopt the same strategy to get out of your comfort zone.
7. Focus on Positive Outcomes
Fear keeps us in our comfort zones. We are often afraid of judgment, failure, and all the things that can go wrong. Instead of focusing on the negatives try focusing on the positives. How would getting out of your comfort zone positively impact your life? What are the positive outcomes? Perhaps you could get a better job or be in a better relationship. Maybe you could finally realize a dream or follow a passion. Keep these positive results at the forefront of your mind.
8. Build Up Your Confidence to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Building confidence can be learned, is a process, and will help you to get out of your comfort zone. Whenever you want to move to the next level, a healthy dose of confidence will help. Adopt healthy confidence and self-esteem habits such as focusing on your strengths and taking care of your mind and body. Check out resources for improving your confidence here or learn about our Self-Esteem and Confidence Workbook.
9. Upgrade Your Company
We are the average of the people we hang around. Meaning, you will have about the same success as your closest friends. If the company you keep live mediocre lives then chances are you will as well. If there is something that you’ve been wanting to do, but the crabs in your bucket are holding you back, it’s time to upgrade your company. Start hanging around people who do what you want to do, or at least aspire to do the same. Join a group or a club that aligns with your goals. If you want to be an actor, join an acting class. If you want to own a business, sign up for a business networking event. Upgrade your company to get out of your comfort zone.
Conclusion
Get out of your comfort zone today starting with these simple tips. Do something that scares you every day, fail on purpose, change your routines, let go of control and start saying yes. You can also become someone else, focus on positive outcomes, build up your confidence, and upgrade your company.
What could you accomplish if you can get out of your comfort zone? Let me know in the comments below.
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