You’ve probably heard the quote by Neale Donald Walsh that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” You may have liked it, Pinned it, and Instagrammed it, but have you actually sat and thought about what it means to you in your life? It’s actually a little intimidating to think about.
What’s outside of your comfort zone are things you don’t have, haven’t tried, or accomplished yet. If you are a person who considers themselves fortunate for all of the things in your life, it may have even crossed your mind that to desire more is an act of ingratitude.
But let me ask you this — are you truly happy, or have you pushed aside your true needs and goals for the sake of remaining in your comfort zone or the comfort zone of another person? If you’re feeling trapped by fear, maybe it’s time to shake things up a little. Try these four tactics to get out of your comfort zone and start achieving your wildest dreams.
Don’t care so much about what others think. One of the biggest obstacles to going after a big goal is the fear of what other people may think. Stop worrying so much about them, and start listening to yourself. There are always going to be negative, “judgy” people out there, but guess what? You don’t have to listen to them! You are allowed to be imperfect, you are allowed to try new things. Listen to the voice inside of you, and get out there.
Be comfortable with failing. This is where old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again” comes in handy. Ask any inventor, professional athlete, or successful CEO how they became successful, and I’ll bet there will be stories of little failures that paved the way to their success. I love the famous quote from Thomas Edison that says:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Embrace those words, and try until you triumph.
Look fear in the eye. Do you go out of your way to avoid situations that may result in discomfort or make excuses for why you can’t do something? Fear is often related to that little voice inside telling you that you aren’t good enough. Stop missing out on opportunities to avoid something that may never happen. Maybe you’ve been wanting to try that new fitness class near your house, but you don’t think you are coordinated enough to keep up. Face your fear, and do it! I’ll guarantee you there is someone else in the class that felt exactly the same way on their first day. You’ll never know what brings you joy or what you’re really good at unless you try.
Be ok with taking risks. Your comfort zone feels good because it doesn’t cause you to feel any stress or anxiety. When you take a risk you may fail, but you may also accomplish something great. Get comfortable with the idea of taking a risk, and don’t get too focused on obtaining a particular result. If you’re considering interviewing for your dream job, don’t be entirely deflated if you don’t get it. If you do, that’s awesome! But if someone else gets it, don’t sweat it. The process will give you the experience and confidence you need to keep taking risks and reaching for the stars.