Getting out of our comfort zone

By the end of June, we realize that half the year is over. Life has settled back into a rut of mundane routine and maybe some of us are feeling like the song writer Peter Hendricks, “...get me out of the comfort zone, I’m tired of living like a dry bone, taking up space, burning up the ozone- get me out - I want out of my comfort zone.”

Doing the same thing, day in and day out, boring and monotonous as it may be, is still seductive. The reason is obvious; there is comfort in repetition and ease in simplicity. It’s human nature to desire comfort, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to take the risk to regularly move beyond the confines of your comfort zone. Top performers persistently take well reasoned risks. By contrast, sub optimal performers often settle into their comfort zone, fall into recurring patterns and stop challenging themselves in significant ways.

In this world of rapid change, you will hamper your growth both personally and professionally, unless you are willing to step out of your comfort zone.

THE TWO KEYS you need are: Courage and Humility.

Key One: Courage

Courage is necessary as fear is the major culprit that cripples our initiative and limits our potential. Taking a risk opens doors we have never encountered before which can be very scary. It’s natural to be really afraid of things we have never encountered before, to be scared of the unknown. In fact, it’s almost like an instinctive reflexive response. It’s important to override this natural response in a counterintuitive constructive manner by acknowledging the fear and accepting it. Identify the things you are most scared of and face them head on.

For most people the Fear of failing, is the biggest barrier. In a study by Jim McCormick (2004) 59% of the sample population hesitated to take a risk because of fear of failure. All risks will not lead to success, but the fear of failure shouldn’t stop us from trying anyway. Failure tests us and allows us to grow.

Key two: Humility

Humility is just as important. When you step out of your comfort zone, you are sure to discover things about yourself that you never knew before, such as; you aren’t as physically fit as you think you are; or although you might be an expert in a certain field you are an absolute greenhorn (novice) in so many others.

You will also be forced to realize that you can’t always be self-reliant. You need to be dependent on others for help and be willing to take instructions from them, which requires a generous dose of humility.

Stepping out of your comfort zone will bring wonderful rewards, which will be unknown until you take the risk to reach out for them. Start doing the things you have always wanted to but didn’t because you tricked yourself into believing that you were too young, too old, too rich, too poor….

“For the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” Erica Jong, Author and Poet.