Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Life Changes
Most of us at one time or another are faced with difficult situations that we find hard to cope with. Life changes can be especially challenging, whether they are big ones, like changing job, or starting a business or smaller ones like going to a party where we don't know anyone, or visiting a new part of town. It's not unusual to experience fear when we confront these changes. It's what makes us human. However, having the courage to overcome this fear and make those steps - even if they're baby steps - is what leads to success, and to a happier and more fulfilled life. Coaches call this stepping out of your comfort zone.
The comfort zone is where we feel happy and content. It's a safe place to be. But if we stay in it for too long, we become lazy, unchallenged and frankly, bored. We may be hindering our growth and stopping ourselves from living life to the full.
As a coach, I often encourage my clients to step out of their comfort zones, even just a little bit. In September this year, I was reminded first hand of just how rewarding and fun it can be when I literally leaped out of my own comfort zone at Go Ape in Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. Go Ape is an aerial assault course where you transverse the tree tops on a variety of wobbly and shakey ropes, ladders, stirrups and bridges, finally, leaping out into the air on the zip line/flying fox/death slide. I had never done anything like that before and I have to admit that I was pretty scared and nervous about it. My adrenalin was pumping before each flying fox as I stood on the platform, just about to jump out into the air. At the first one, i was terrified, shaking and ready to give up. To be honest, I was almost in tears! By the last one, I was leaping off without hesitation, whooping with delight and enjoying the ride.
Stepping Out - Some Challenges
- Choose a different route to work one day.
- Try a different filling in your lunchtime sandwich. Or a different meal at your favourite restaurant.
- Do something that you've always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try.
- Go to see a film alone. Buy yourself some popcorn or ice-cream and enjoy the movie. Know that you've chosen to go alone, and feel good about it.
- If you always wear the same colours, why not try wearing a different colour. Or, if you're like me and always wear trousers, put on a skirt! (That can apply to men too!).
- Go on holiday on your own! Okay, it might not sound very appealing, but if you've ever found yourself missing out on your holiday because your friends or family can't come with you for whatever reason, then take the bull by the horns and go away anyway. You'll be surprised at not only how much fun you'll have, but how much confidence you can build up. I can vouch for this having travelled solo to Nepal and on shorter holidays. If you've been thinking about going away alone and are put off for whatever reason, call me for a chat!
- Talk to a stranger - on public transport or in the queue at the post office. Even the most confident people can find talking to strangers offputting but it's a great way to build up confidence. You never know, you might make a new friend.
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