When was the last time you went against the grain and did something that made you uncomfortable?
If it has been some time, you must learn how to grow out of your comfort zone, and this article will show you exactly how to do that.
By growing out of your comfort zone, you will experience life and the spontaneity that comes with it rather than living the same day repeatedly.
If you enjoy being comfortable and don’t actively seek change in your life, then the information below is not for you.
Those looking for change and excitement in their life, let’s dive in!
The Comfort Zone
You ask yourself, what is the comfort zone? Truthfully, it sounds amazing when you first hear the name.
The comfort zone depicts the area(s) in a person’s life where little to no effort is displayed for improvement, generally due to a lack of purpose.
The comfort zone in a job can be when you quit turning work in on time, whereas in a relationship it can be when you quit giving compliments to your significant other.
When we look at people within their comfort zone, they may seem happy! But, people living within it are missing one piece of the puzzle: a purpose.
You see, the comfort zone is where things go to die.
For example,
- If you are in a relationship and get comfortable, it will fail.
- If you have a job and get comfortable, you will get fired.
- If you start a business and get comfortable, it will fail.
All of these will fail due to the complacency being comfortable brings.
You can learn to combat the comfort zone by developing a purpose for your life and all the area(s) within it.
When there is a purpose behind your life, along with each area within it, living in this zone is not an option.
Key Takeaways
The comfort zone depicts the area(s) in a person’s life where little to no effort is displayed for improvement, generally due to a lack of purpose.
When we look at people within their comfort zone, they may seem happy! But, people living within it are missing one piece of the puzzle: a purpose.
You can learn to combat the comfort zone by developing a purpose for your life and all the area(s) within it.
Growing Out of the Comfort Zone
Growing out of the comfort zone can look different for everybody, but we have formed a three-step process to help you take that next step.
This three-step process involves inspection, direction, and accountability.
By following this process, you will find it easier to identify and correct the comfort zones that may currently be present in your life.
Inspection
The first step, inspection, involves looking at your life and the area(s) in which the comfort zone may be present.
A few of these areas are your:
- Job
- Relationships
- Health
- Finances
When looking at these areas, you must self-reflect on where you currently are compared to where you want to be.
For example, if you are wanting to inspect your finances, ask yourself:
- What am I working towards with my finances?
- What about my finances challenges me the most?
- What motivates me when dealing with my finances gets tough?
Inspection can be tough, as it involves self-reflection and honesty about the area(s) in your life upon which you can improve. Also, blind spots come into play.
By asking open-ended questions, such as the above, it will help identify the purpose behind an area in your life.
If you lack the answers to questions regarding a specific area in your life, this can be a sign of a comfort zone.
Direction
After inspection, it is time to give the area(s) in which the comfort zone is present direction.
The presence of complacency within an area of your life is due to a lack of direction.
When direction is lacking, often your actions have no purpose behind them as you don’t know what you are aiming for.
Since you have already identified where you currently are versus where you want to be, you must now put actionable steps in place to get where you need to be.
For example,
You decide to improve your health after letting it deteriorate for a few months. To give this area of your life direction, you will go to the gym six days weekly to get in shape.
The actionable step of going to the gym six days weekly will help you grow and push new boundaries.
Accountability
Lastly, growing out of your comfort zone involves a lot of accountability.
Although you can identify comfort zones within any area(s) of your life and provide each direction, it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t set the expectation to hold yourself accountable.
When you identify a comfort zone, hold yourself accountable and grow out of it. If you put an actionable step in place for direction, follow through with it.
Use others if needed during this process to help hold you accountable to ensure you successfully grow. A lack of accountability will result in delayed or failed progress and unfulfilled purpose.
By holding yourself accountable, the comfort zone will cease to exist.
Key Takeaways
Inspection can be tough, as it involves self-reflection and honesty about the area(s) in your life upon which you can improve. Also, blind spots come into play.
The presence of complacency within an area of your life is due to a lack of direction.
By holding yourself accountable, the comfort zone will cease to exist.
Conclusion
The comfort zone will always be there, but your ability to discover and chase your dreams won’t be.
Although we discussed the comfort zone and the process behind growing out of the comfort zone, you must decide between doing the right and comfortable thing.
A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
Gina Milicia
When was the last time you went against the grain and did something that made you uncomfortable?
Only then can we experience life and the spontaneity that comes with it.
–Your future self will thank you.
