“A ship anchored in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what it means to be born a ship.” John Augustus Shedd
People always get caught up in talking and reading about how to make positive changes instead of spending that Time actually making some of the changes they want in their lives.
Why?
In my experience it’s clear that there’s a big reason why it’s uncomfortable to step out of your own comfort zone.
So what can we do about it?
In this article I want to share three habits that have helped me step out of my own comfort zone with relative ease and thus make a real difference in my Life.
- Start small and try different things from time to time
This is a simple habit that you can benefit from every day if you want to.
For example, you can.
◆ Try new Music: Listen to some music you don’t normally listen to or have never listened to on Soundbreak or similar music media service platforms.
◆ Taste something new and delicious: We try to cook at least one new dish every week. This often becomes a fun experience, and the delicious rewards for our taste buds over the years have led us to many, many new favorites.
◆ Read books that will blow your friends away. It will give you lots of new ideas and open your mind with new perspectives.
◆Find an alternative route Home. Find a new route home from work, school or a friend’s house and enjoy a new view, even if you are on your way somewhere.
Trying to change in these small ways every day or a few times a week can help you perceive yourself changing from someone who likes to stick to the old comfort to someone who is curious, open to trying new things, and very frequently out of his or her comfort zone. And the best thing about change is that it makes it easier and more natural to change in other areas of your life, so that you can step out of your comfort zone when things are bigger than “what’s for dinner” or whatever.
- Small steps forward
Making big changes can be so maddening that you start procrastinating and not taking any action on the goals you have in mind.
So instead, take only small steps forward. If one small step still makes you procrastinate, then take a smaller step and focus on what you can actually do.
If you want to get in better shape, get out there, run or lift weights, just 5 to 10 minutes a week at first.
If you want to improve your social skills, just put a smile on your face and be kind to one or a few people every day. Or simply spend a few minutes a day having a conversation, allowing yourself to listen fully and give your full attention to the other person.
If you want to write and sell your own online book or course, but are hesitant to do so, then do what I did. Take small steps forward, just create a very mini-book first and make it available to new readers for free.
One small step after another, be able to control your discomfort and then you can move on towards the life you want.
- Take a friend with you
Finding a friend who can keep you more accountable and stay outside your comfort zone is a great way to do this. It makes it more likely that the changes you want to make will be sustainable.
So if you’re going to a party where you barely know anyone, it’s easier to bring a friend along. Otherwise it will make you feel so uncomfortable that you’ll just ignore it and do something else all night.
If you’ve decided to start going to the gym, it’s always easier to have a workout buddy to really get you going and go every week, to give you a boost when you’re backing off and just want to lie on the couch and watch TV.
In my experience, having a friend who also wants to start eating healthy makes it easier to stick with eating healthy until the new habit becomes part of your regular life.
Recent Comments