Being comfortable is a great feeling, life happens at a slow pace and nothing out of the ordinary happens, live is stress-free, and everything feels under control and comfortable. That is the comfort zone.
In the comfort zone you don’t have to try anything new and life moves along with very little change and very little uncertainty.
At one point or another we’ve all been in the comfort zone.
The comfort zone sounds wonderful, stress free, easy, … But is it really?
The problem with the comfort zone is that it keeps you stuck in the same place, even though you may need to change, to grow – it makes it difficult for you to adapt to change in the future, and it limits you from reaching your full potential.
The comfort zone results in missed opportunities and stagnation.
The world is changing at a rapid pace, fuelled in a large way by technological advancements. Keeping up with the changes requires evolving your habits, and your behaviour to take advantage of the opportunities offered.
“When I first started driving, I found a route to work that worked for me. The drive was long but there were very little cars on the road and I could drive along pretty smoothly without the start and stop of peak hour traffic. I travelled that route for six months before a friend asked me for a lift to a nearby store, forcing me to take a different route to work. That’s when I discovered that there was a different route, I could take that would cut my travel time in half. It was only because I was willing to break my routine that I discovered a much better way to get to my destination.”
That is the thing about the comfort zone, you miss out on better opportunities because there is no reason to change the way things are done.
Is continual growth easy to do? Well, the simple answer is no. Growth takes work and effort.
Often it is in overcoming challenges that we are able to build the skills needed for growth. Challenges teach us adaptability and provide the confidence needed to try new ideas and new opportunities.
Does that mean that you won’t fail if you try something new? No, unfortunately when you try something for the first time, it might result in failure. But failure is a key part of learning.
There are so many stories of people who took a leap and risked everything they had to find success. Henry Ford famously said, “If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” At the time horse and carriage was the only way to travel. Ford could have stayed in the horse and carriage business, but he decided to go beyond what was already there and he changed the way the world travels.
No doubt, Henry Ford failed many times when trying to create the first motorcar, but he kept persisting until it was done.
What are the steps we can take to push past our comfort zone?
#1 Start small – Start with small challenges that you can overcome, such as, starting a new hobby, or committing to a new exercise program. For me, I decided to run to go for a 2 km run twice a week.
#2 Embrace the fear – Fear often creeps up, when you try something new, but it is important to reframe fear as an exciting opportunity.
#3 Build your support system – With the help of trusted friends, its easier to keep going. Join a community of like-minded people.
#4 Reflect on your achievements and celebrate your successes. In order to keep yourself motivated, take the time to celebrate your victories no matter how big or small they might be.
Growth begins outside your comfort zone. Take action to go beyond what is comfortable and you will find opportunities you never would have expected.
If you are looking for growth in your business, reach out to marketing experts who can help you go beyond the comfort levels.
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