Seems like a contradiction, doesn't it? Get uncomfortable and be free? When I was young, I always wanted to have a comfortable life. To be safe, to have a relaxed, easy life. That's what some people call our "comfort zone." But is it really enough? Are we really satisfied in our comfort zone?

In this newsletter, I will explain the comfort zone, what it is, and why it works for many of us. But some people find it boring and incomplete. Some of us want something better, where we can grow, have a more exciting and fulfilling life, pursue our dreams.  I will share some tangible tips for you to follow in becoming free and accepting the fact that being uncomfortable is a good thing.

OUR COMFORT ZONE

There is actually nothing wrong with being comfortable. Our comfort zone is a place where everything feels familiar to us. We perceive ourselves as being at ease and in control of our surroundings. When we are in our comfort zone, we feel low levels of anxiety and stress. We expend less energy on routine tasks, because we have done them so many times before. Our experience has taught us how to handle those situations. Our comfort zone is a place where we feel confident; we are doing what we know and have succeeded at in the past. We do not feel anxious or fearful. There is a level of self-confidence because we know we can succeed in our comfort zone. Because it is fairly "routine," we can complete our tasks quickly and easily here. 

While our comfort zone is a place of calmness, it also inhibits our growth. Our comfort zone can be "boring." Moreover, it often is a place of fear. We make excuses why we do not try something new. The reality is we do not try them because we are are afraid and that fear holds us back from growth.

Breaking free of our comfort zone offers many powerful benefits. We become complacent, and bored in our comfort zone. We stop growing. We never make progress by keeping still. If we only continue to use our present skill set, we never develop new ones. If we step out of our comfort zone, and try new risks, some amazing things can happen. If we embrace discomfort and succeed, we both expand our skill set and grow our confidence. If we never try something new, we will never succeed at anything new! But, if we take risks and try something different and challenging, the rewards can be incredible. Our dreams can become reality. And the process of trying something new and challenging will make us a stronger, more talented and more confident person.

TOOLS FOR FREEDOM AND GROWTH

Are you looking for something better? Would you like to broaden your skill set? Achieve new heights? Accomplish things you've always dreamed of but never tried? Are you tired of not trying because you are afraid?

If so, here are 10 tangible tips for you to step out of your comfort zone and free yourself to enjoy new successes you have always dreamed of:

1. Focus on what is possible outside of your comfort zone. What is something you've always dreamed of accomplishing but have not yet tried? What is something that you see other people doing that you would like to do but have been afraid to try? Is there something you would like to be successful at but have not attempted yet? Being aware of what is possible outside your comfort zone can give you the motivation to try something new.

2. Make a list of your growth goals. What are some areas in your life in which, when you are honest with yourself, you would like to achieve greater growth? What are new skills you would like to develop? Public speaking? Writing? Fitness? Record the areas in which you would like to grow, and new skills or activities you would like to learn. Review it daily.

3. Change your routine. Drive to work on a different route. Use a different workout regimen. Eat lunch at a different time or at a different place. Small changes in your routine can lead to meeting new people and having different experiences. That can create new ideas for growth and give you a new excitement about your life.

4. Be honest. When you say "no" to some activity, don't use an excuse like "I don't have time." Acknowledge what is really going on. Is it something you are afraid of doing? If you are honest with yourself about what is really involved, you can see that you are choosing not to do it not because you do not have time or do not want to, but because of some fear.

5. Try something new. Look for a new activity you have not done before to try for the first time, whether is playing a guitar, taking up ceramics, or playing a new sport. Every time we try something new, we learn something new, have a new and often exciting experience.

6. Face your fears. What is it we are really afraid of? What do we hesitate in trying because of our fear? What are the fears which hold us back? If we identify what our fears are, we can take little steps to overcome them. If our fear is about public speaking, look for opportunities to talk to small groups first. You will find that once you start challenging those fears, even in a small way, they become much less scary and you open yourself to greater growth.

7. Talk to strangers. When an opportunity presents itself, engage in conversation with someone you don't know. You will find that it opens the door for more connections, more experiences, more knowledge. It also may create opportunities to do something new and exciting that you didn't previously even think of.

8. Say "yes" to something you would normally say no to. How often has someone asked me if I would like to do something, and my reflex was to say "no!" Why is that? Usually it was because I was afraid of doing something new or stepping out of my comfort zone. When someone asks you to try something new and different, say "yes". You will find you are often very happy with the choice, enjoyed what you are doing, and very glad that you said yes.

9. Try physical and mental change. One way to break out of your comfort zone is to change your exercise and nutrition routine. After consulting with your physician, try a new recreational or work out pattern that will help you to improve physically. Look for a nutrition program that helps you be healthier and feel better. Feeling stronger, fitter and healthier will help you to be mentally healthier as well. But in addition, during the day take a break from our phone and electronics. Try for just half an hour and see how it feels. It may open us to periods of conversation and connection with others, meditation, or reading that often get interrupted with our electronics.

10. Don't take yourself too seriously! If we try something new, we may look awkward at first as we may not be initially successful. That's okay! Our failures are simply a part of our growth. Instead of feeling embarrassed, we can laugh at ourselves! Letting go of the worry of what other people might think of us will allow us to enjoy these new activities and grow!\

 Do you want to step out of your comfort zone? If so, these are steps will help. Which one will you try first?

I am working with attorneys and other professionals to help them be as successful and fulfilled in their profession as they want. I would love to learn more about you, your challenges and your goals. If you would like to chat, please set up a complementary discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call