The Problem with Comfortability.

‘Comfortability stifles growth and development,’ or something to that effect.

How can you possibly achieve the goals you have set out for yourself if you continue to live the same monotonous life and routine? 

If whatever you’re doing now isn’t working, how’s it going to work in the next year or two?

Yes you guessed it, it’s not, something is going to have to change.

Starting with you… 

I’m going to detail 5 ways to get the hell, out of your comfort zone in this entry. 
 
Defining Comfortability.

The definition of comfortable refers to a:

‘State of physical ease or mental relaxation, where one feels content, at ease, or free from discomfort or stress. It can also describe situations or environments that are familiar, predictable, and conducive to feelings of security and well-being.’

Whilst the above sounds lovely, the reality is that growth often occurs when we step out of our comfort zone. We navigate various environments in our daily lives, such as; work, home, and education to name a few. By intentionally introducing discomfort into just one of these environments, you may start to notice significant changes. Meaning you don’t need to ‘shake up’ and overhaul your whole life to reap the benefits (unless of course you want to).

So how do we exit our comfort zone?

Here are five ways to shake things up and take that step out of your comfort zone:

1. Try something new:
Experiment with activities or hobbies you’ve never tried before, or why not take a course to develop a new skill – you never know when it could come in handy. Perhaps there’s an activity, sport, or musical instrument you’ve always been curious about but never prioritised. Now is your chance to step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.

2. Set challenging goals 🥅:
Push yourself to set goals that you truly desire, the sort that you’re uncomfortable saying out loud. The reality is there is no harm in setting goals that might feel slightly unrealistic, in fact, they can be powerful motivators. Setting these stretching goals increases the likelihood of you taking steps in the right direction towards them, rather than settling for those easily attainable but stagnant ones.

3. Embrace failure:
Don’t fear mistakes; view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Admittedly, it’s easier said than done. I’ve experienced my fair share of failures some more damaging and confidence – shaking than others. Yet even in my most dreaded failures I’ve found and accepted the lessons. While I may not always understand why I needed to learn them at that exact moment, I’m certain that I won’t repeat those mistakes. It’s true that the bigger the failure, the longer it may take to uncover its lesson—perhaps due to the shock experienced—but once you accept the reality of what’s happened, the lesson often reveals itself.

4. Travel to unfamiliar places 🌍:  
Now this could be travelling to distant lands or exploring hidden gems in your local area. Venturing out to the unknown will enhance your knowledge allowing you to experience new cultures broadening your perspective and exposing you to new ways of living and thinking. 

5. Volunteer for leadership roles:
Step up and lead by volunteering for extra responsibilities, whether at home or in your career. Look for opportunities to stretch your skills and abilities by taking on tasks that challenge you. Remember, there are plenty of leadership opportunities out there if you’re willing to seek them out and embrace them. 

Wrap Up
To conclude it’s uncomfortable and awkward to step out of your comfort zone, hence why most people don’t do it. Once you start you’ll begin to realise just how enjoyable it is and you’ll be hooked. You’ll enjoy continuing to do those things that make you uncomfortable knowing full well that once the initial discomfort exits you’ll be left feeling fulfilled, excited and challenged and that is first step on the journey to success. The ability to feel comfortable doing those activities that make you feel uncomfortable, initially.