How to leave your comfort zone and thrive
Sadly, as someone who knows too well, just because you know how the mind works doesn't mean it won't try and control you as you step out your comfort zone.
Therefore we need to practice applied suffering where you identify your comfort zone and take on challenges or opportunities that will move you outside your comfort – on a regular basis.
Call it training the mind and body to get used to that feeling of discomfort we intentionally try to avoid. We want to turn it on its head, allow yourself to feel it all and ‘survive’
Our minds love us to be comfortable in the known and certain world of our comfort zone. We are standing in a box with a label on it and everyone around us knows that it is us. The thought of stepping outside the box into a different box can be terrifying.
The minute you think of trying something new, uncertain, or unknown your mind will try to take control and box you in by flooding you with fear. Yes 'the fear', with all those anxious feelings and thoughts. All the 'what if ' scenarios.
It can be exhausting.
That uncomfortable feeling, known as fear, is a signal you are at the boundary of your comfort zone. Our minds will trick us and present some subtle, but usually wild, reasons why we must not, under any circumstance, leave our comfort zone.
You therefore need to see this as a sign to push out your comfort zone into your growth zone where you LEARN and feel ALIVE. Where you will THRIVE!
Whatever makes you feel uncomfortable, is your friend and an opportunity to GROW. It is shining a big light on an area of your life that you may have become stuck in.
You are training your body and mind to adapt to become STRONGER. You only grow by taking action, not by thinking about it.
Therefore, identifying your comfort zone limit and taking action will develop your growth mindset. It is how you rewire your brain - what you once feared becomes your norm, what was once an excuse is no longer valid as you overcame it. Sounds simple – yes and no. The key is not to overthink it or it will become crippling.
A super fine balancing act of identifying your comfort zone boundary, acknowledging the discomfort and taking action. As quickly as humanly possible. As time births more limiting excuses.
By feeling all the feels and continuing to step into your fear bubble will wake you up to the reality that the thing we fear is never that bad. You will not die and the worst thing possible will not happen.
How do you overcome the fear?
1. There is no magic wand.
2. Flood your mind with all the positive outcomes and use positive ‘I can’ mantras!
3. Fake it until you become it and force it by taking action even if your body and mind is shouting NO - sometimes you JUST need to DO IT!
4. Practice. Take smaller action steps to lead to the bigger step.
5. Reassure yourself you will not die, or look stupid (as no one cares as they are probably stuck in their own heads overthinking something in their world). You might even feel sick, but the moment will pass. You will slowly quiet your fearful mind.
6. Get excited about what you could learn, experience and achieve. How would you FEEL when it is successful?
The key is to control and shut down that part of the mind shouting "Don't do it". That is your limit.
Find the thing that brings you the feeling of discomfort, then ask yourself:
1. If I take action, will this kill me ? Answer - NO
2. If I take action, will I grow ? Answer - YES
Then take action, ride that wave and watch yourself LEARN AND GROW.
What next?
On a regular basis seek out 'applied suffering' experiences to move out your comfort zone. Keep challenging yourself and say yes to opportunities to grow, learn and become a stronger version of you. What are you waiting for?
Examples: Ask for that promotion or pay rise. Ask that crush out. Write a blog post. Go live on social media. Life that weight. Sign up for that challenge. Go that solo trip. Ask for a discount. Attend a meet up. Host an event. Provide feedback to someone. Ask for help.