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5 Easy ways to get out of your comfort zone

It's great living within your comfort zone isn't it?  Living in that comfortable place where you never feel threatened or uncomfortable in any way right?  Are you sure?  Your comfort zone may be safe and cozy but can't it also be a bit dull and boring occasionally?  Do you find yourself settling for what you have because "it's not so bad" and "better the devil you know" rather than taking steps to get the things you really want?  If you do then it is definitely time to get out of your comfort zone!

If you want to bring anything new into your life you have to be prepared to do something that may initially feel uncomfortable.  Whether that something new is a new relationship, an activity that you have always wanted to try or a new job or business, you have to be willing to experience some discomfort.  However, you can choose to do this safe in the knowledge that it won't last forever.

How can I possibly know that it won't take long?  Think back to the first day in your current job or your first day at college/university.  How did you feel?  A bit uncomfortable (or is that an understatement?!)  Didn't last long though, did it?  A few days?  A few hours?  In a very brief period your comfort zone expanded to include what, only shortly before, had seemed so scary and alien.

So this week I want to set you a a challenge to stretch the boundaries of your comfort zone by trying one (or all!) of these 5 easy tips:

1.  Accept that invite

Next time you get invited to attend a meeting with your manager, invited to take part in a sport or hobby of which you have no experience or to go out with a group of people you don't know very well and you are deliberating whether to go or not, just say yes!  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

2.  Have a "different" day

For one day make a conscious decision to do things differently.  Do something different with your hair, try something new for breakfast, take a different route to work or use a different mode of transport.  Keep it up for the whole day, speak to people you don't normally speak to, read something that you wouldn't normally read.  Shake it up a bit!  Just making small changes like this is a great way to beat boredom and routine and even more importantly, it's fun!

3.  Do something that you don't know how to do

How often do you decide not to do something because you think you won't do it well, that your inexperience will make you look stupid?  When you try something new for the first time, remind yourself, that's the worst you will ever be at it and that each time you do it going forward you will get better and better.  (Do you remember your first driving lesson?  I'm guessing (and hoping!) that you are a bit better driver now).  Remember, if you don't step up and give it a go, you will never be able to do it.

4.  Try something you have never tried before

Once upon a time you had never tasted chocolate mousse, visited a foreign country, drunk champagne, played the piano or had a really great kiss!  What are you favourite things in live?  What would life be like if you had never tried them to see if you liked them?  Give it a go, try something new every day - your new favourite thing could be just around the corner!

5.  Team up with a friend

If going it alone to that evening class, singles night or networking event really is a step too far out of your comfort zone why not see if you can take a bit of your comfort zone with you?  Ask a friend to go with you.  Once you have done it once, the next time won't feel so scary and who knows, you may be brave enough to go alone!

I hope these tips inspire you to get up and out of your comfort zone because only by taking action will you get to feel the unique adrenaline rush of that "I did it!" moment.  

To find out more about stepping out of your comfort zone and how I can help you to adapt to change then contact me now.

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"Never continue in a job you don't enjoy.  If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself, you'll have inner peace.  And if you have that, along with physical health, you will have had more success than you could possibly have imagined".

Johnny Carson