As we approach the second half of the year, many of us begin to reflect on our progress so far. You might have begun 2021 intending to make certain changes. But most people find it tricky to stick to the goals they set for themselves.
It can be hard to change habits that make us feel comfortable. Feeling secure and safe is a part of human nature, after all. We hear the phrase ‘step outside of your comfort zone’ repeated from time to time. But, how many of us know what it means?
In this article, we’ll detail what a comfort zone is and why it’s important to step outside of it!
What is a comfort or growth zone?
Your comfort zone is a psychological state where you are safe and at ease. It is a construct that we create to prevent ourselves from feeling anxious or afraid. This makes the comfort zone a great place to stay for many reasons.
The problem is, your comfort zone has a limit. Outside of your comfort zone lies the learning, growth and panic zones. The one we will focus on is the growth zone. This is where you can make progress and actualise some of your dreams.
However, before you can get to the growth zone, you need to experience the learning zone. The learning zone is where you develop some of the skills that will support your progress. You begin to unlearn old habits, learn to deal with challenges, acquire new skills and extend the comfort zone.
Try something new
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can seem very daunting for most of us. When was the last time you did something new? If you are not inclined to try something random, then it may be worth asking yourself why.
Doing things outside of the norm is a great way to build up self-esteem and confidence. At the beginning of a new year, we all make the collective leap together to make a positive change. This creates a sense of community spirit. However, you don’t need an excuse to try something different. Exploring new hobbies or building new habits can add excitement to your daily life. Why not choose to refresh your routine in the middle of the year?
Face your fears
Stepping outside of your ‘comfort zone’ is all about putting yourself in an ‘uncomfortable’ situation. Very often, we create this idea in our heads that we probably can’t do certain things. The result is that we usually avoid trying new things altogether.
Your inability to try something different could stem from a fear you have. Sometimes, people develop a fear of rejection that prevents them from doing anything that may result in failure or rejection. But once you try something, you realise that it is nowhere near as bad as you have imagined it to be!
George Addair once said, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear”. You do not know what great things may lie on the other side of you putting yourself out there; the other side being the point when you attempt something that you once found scary.
Personal development and growth
Stepping outside of your comfort zone is an integral part of your personal development. If you allow familiarity and complacency to hold you back, you miss out on opportunities to discover more about yourself. Being open to change and the world around us, allows you to widen your perspective.
Stepping into your growth zone will allow you to find your purpose. You will have a stronger sense of what you want to do and find it easier to set goals. Having the ability to achieve your goals gives you greater confidence and self-esteem.
You may discover a new talent or skill that helps you at work, for example. You may just feel more excited to try other new things! More importantly, you may be able to overcome a crippling fear.
Our conclusion
Now that we have a better understanding of what a comfort zone is, it should be much easier to move from your comfort zone to your growth zone. Whilst it can prove difficult to give up old habits, the benefits of exploring new things far outweigh the cons. You can have new exciting experiences, face up to your fears and make some valuable personal progress.
The choice is yours to start whenever you want. Once you have thought about the things you want to achieve, you can adjust the habits that prevent you from reaching your goals. Remember that great things lie outside your comfort zone if you can stick to the promises you have made for this new chapter of your life.
Discover more about how you can step outside of your comfort zone and grow by contacting Ceed today.