Comfort Zone

Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new

Brian Tracy

Are you one of the many people who want to improve the quality of your life, have more money, more time freedom, and yet this seems like an elusive concept for you? Does changing your life seem like a farfetched dream that feels like an impossible reality?

Taking a step back, you’ll realise real change comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone, but it can be so difficult to step out. After all, it’s called a comfort zone for a reason; it’s comfortable. However, there’s more to this iceberg than just the tip.

Here are three reasons why it can be impossible to become a reality.

1. HABIT & ROUTINE

Everyone has an unconscious level of what routine and habits they have created in their lives. This has now become the standard to which all decisions are based, creating your accepted standard of living. Without realising it, you have settled for a particular standard of living with the same routine and habits in place. This is what you’re used to and have come to expect in your daily life.

This is known as the comfort zone; this is what you are used to and it has been working for you so far.

Of course, this standard of living may have been in place for years; even decades. Breaking these standards to move towards and create a new lifestyle can mean undoing years of habit-forming routine which is never an easy thing to go against.

2. FEARS

Many people accept a life that’s less than they’re capable of because they’re crippled by self-doubt and fear. They tend to have a higher need for external validation from others, and this leaves them exposed to fears of rejection, failure, loss, conflict, inadequacy, abandonment, ridicule, and the unknown.

This leads to settling for a life that's just ‘OK’, rather than engaging themselves in the adventure that life can bring.

They let their limiting beliefs they have picked up throughout their lives take control and have shrunk their dreams to fit these beliefs.

3. COPING MECHANISMS

All of us have experienced moments of emotional pain and, of course, it's natural to want to avoid these situations happening all over again. As a result, we can develop coping mechanisms whenever we feel stressed or challenged.

These coping mechanisms are Delay, Denial and Distraction - the 3 D’s.

The 3-D's

Delay: This is when the changes that need to be made are not made, or there’s a delay in making them that it almost becomes too late for the changes to have any impact whatsoever.

Denial: The feeling there is anything wrong in your life. You deny that changes need to be made and that you are unhappy with the way things are. This prevents you from looking for a way to move forward.

Distraction: This is where you will distract yourself from there being anything wrong or uncomfortable, so maybe plan that holiday, drink, or binge watch a series. Anything to distract your mind from the reality that your life is not the way you want them to be.

The good news is there is a way out of mediocrity into a higher standard of living with more freedom, fun, and fulfilment.

To make the changes, you need to live your best life yet will require courage, focus and the strength to step out of your comfort zone. But something worthwhile is worth working for.

More good news is that you don’t have to change everything all at once. You don’t have to be an overnight success - it’s about making the small changes slowly.

Now that you have decided to change things up in your life, you need to look and see who it is you want to become, and what it is that you want to do. What steps do you need to take?

Once you have answered those questions, you then make the little changes that will start you in the direction of your dreams.

Start small!

Every journey, whether you’re going to the shops or climbing a mountain, starts with a single step. For instance, if you want to start your own business, perhaps turning a passion into a profitable career, begin by doing ten minutes; today.

That's right, today.

Spend ten minutes researching the industry. Look at the competition. Brainstorm some names. Look into products. Look into how the world of business works. Watch some business-related content on YouTube. Look into how you build a website, or how marketing worlds.

Apply this to anything you care to name; it doesn’t have to be a business idea. It could be a desire to become fitter or healthier. It could be to start a new passion or hobby. It could be to develop the habit of reading.

Whatever it is you want to do and however you want to step out of your comfort zone, give yourself the opportunity to spend ten minutes of your day doing something related to this idea. Just ten minutes. See how it goes, and if you feel like it, do another ten minutes tomorrow.

Then, your journey has started, and over time, your comfort zone will start to expand, usually without you even realising it. Take pride in the time you’re spending on yourself and these projects, and don’t forget to thank yourself for giving yourself these opportunities.

Enjoy the ride.

You can even step out of your comfort zone in other small ways., one step at a time. Do something every day that scares you, even if it's something small like smiling at a stranger. Once you have done a few small changes, shake it up and do something more significant.

There are so many things in this world that hold us back, especially since the rise and boom of social media, an instant gratification mindset, constant opportunities to compare ourselves with others, and fear of letting ourselves and others down.

Whatever makes you uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth.

Bryant McGill

However, while it can feel like the world is holding you in one spot, you have the strength required to push back and free yourself. Take a deep breath, and go.

Remember to live your life with confidence!

Chat soon

Natalie

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