How to get out of comfort zone?
Most successful entrepreneurs, artists, innovators mention “stepping out of their comfort zone regularly” as one of the key reasons that made them successful.
Unfortunately, they usually don’t give ANY advice on HOW to do it.
Right?
“Just do it” doesn’t always work – some people (like I used to be) simply cannot ‘just do it’ – the fear usually wins.
That’s why I gathered 4 hidden ways to step outside the comfort zone that have helped both me and my clients to become more daring, more spontaneous, and jump into challenges with joy, not fear.
Why do I say “secret ways”?
Because they are not so obvious at the first glance, no one would ever notice them, but they make the biggest difference.
Without them, you could try other tips and tricks on how to become more courageous and confident in your career, but would wonder why every attempt is failing.
So, what are they?
Find out below.
1. Take the smallest step.
We often want to ‘go big or go home’, when actually taking small steps may be a better way how to get out of comfort zone. So:
- Simply order a different coffee than you are used to.
- Put another spice in your dinner that you have never tried.
- Hold your hand up at a meeting 2 seconds longer than usual.
The smallest step you can imagine – do it for 30 days, and see what happens.
Often it gets so fun that you dare more even before the 30 days are over.
2. Take the smallest step.
Yes, you read that right.
One of my biggest mistakes has been – listening to advice of taking small steps, and not giving a shot, because lots of people with dopamine-filled eyes told me to go big or go home.
“Take a small step” – it didn’t sound as sexy or empowering as “JUMP FOR YOUR DREAMS! LEAVE YOUR JOB NOW!”.
“Jump for your dreams” was said with such confidence and energy that doing anything else but big steps seemed to make me a safe-playing loser.
But the opposite was true.
For people like me (that love logic, planning and structure), the biggest success and freedom can also come from small, repetitive steps every day that later build up into something big.
Taking huge jumps can work, of course, for some people.
However, if you feel that those huge jumps are too overwhelming for you – small, but regular “hops” may actually be the key how to get out of comfort zone.
Slow, but steady CAN be faster – and you’ll be surprised how fulfilling it can be.
3. Gather the proof.
With every small step you have done, take your time to milk it.
Remember what happened, and say to yourself:
“Did you see? I did it. I CAN step out of my comfort zone.”
Then pay attention how it feels to realise that you have stepped outside the comfort zone. Hold that emotion for a little, little longer. Even if the emotion is not so strong, let’s say, 10% out of 100%, let be it!
Allow yourself to be 10% proud – remember, it will grow into something bigger.
As silly as it seems, it works.
I call it “gathering evidence”.
Mind loves to play games with us when we want to do something new. It wants to tell us that we cannot do something because new is dangerous. So let’s beat the mind in its own game.
One of the most powerful and long-lasting things you can do, is – having facts to prove yourself, that yes, you have already stepped outside the comfort zone, and you’re capable of doing it.
4. Be overly positive in your mind.
This technique helps not only to get out of comfort zone, but to be more relaxed when you do it.
When you have to do something new, say to yourself, in an overly cheerful tone, and with energy:
“Yes! I’ll do great. This is great. I’ll do this. I’ll be GREAT. It will go SMOOTHLY.”
Keep in mind – the task is not to take the phrases seriously, but laugh a bit at the overly positive tone (taking them seriously may create the opposite effect).
This technique can make you laugh (if you over-exaggerate the joy), and can be very comforting. Laughing itself helps to release stress and tension.
What’s even better, such thoughts takes the space of the mind that would usually be busy with fear or anxiety. When the mind is busy, that makes it easier to do your best outside my comfort zone.
This technique may probably be easier to understand if you see this technique via video – take a look on my Youtube channel, it might already be published.
(If not, subscribe, then it will be the next published video 🙂 )
So, these are 4 hidden ways how to get out of your comfort zone.
Did you find it useful? Share in the comments!
P.S. If you feel it’s time to train yourself to get out of your comfort zone with ease and joy (yes, that’s possible) – apply here for a test mini training to see how it works.
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