5 Reasons to Grow Outside Your Comfort Zone
You can't grow inside your comfort zone. This is an uncomfortable truth that a lot of people either can't figure out or refuse to. I didn't want to do this either!
There are so many things I used to hate or avoid doing because they made me anxious. Going outside of your comfort zone is uncomfortable.
One recent example is me calling people and talking on the phone with them for market research.
It was important and I knew these people from various networking groups so they weren't total strangers. Even so I was still nervous to talk to them.
I received amazing insights from my questions and there is no other way to hone in on your target audience or niche without talking to them.
Why Go Outside Your Comfort Zone?
Your Comfort Zone Isn't Where Growth Happens
As an introvert it's so hard for me to speak up even when I'm in a safe space. The only way to get better is to practice. That's why I knew these calls were so important not just for my business but for me.
Another example of something I never though I would be comfortable with is being on video. I’d much rather be reading or relaxing. I’ve gotten so many views just from creating Reels on Instagram for 4 months! It’s sometimes wild for me to think about.
Growth Isn't Comfortable
I still get butterflies before doing something that scares me. On New Year's Eve I went to Six Flags to ride some roller coasters. Even though I love them right before the ride starts- I still get butterflies in my stomach. Every time.
I don't freak out because I know it's going to be fun. I take a deep breath and wait for the ride to start. When the ride starts I can’t stop smiling and laughing. We even went on a new ride which was so crazy it might be my new favorite!
Your Comfort Zone is Safe
This is why you should take small steps, daily or weekly, to stretch your comfort zone.
You'll be surprised by how fast something that used to terrify you is now no big deal.
That's what happened to me on those market research calls.
For the first one I felt like a nervous wreck on the inside and by the time I finished the last one I felt like I could do 10 more no problem!
Embrace a Growth Mindset
While the comfort zone may be comfy it is also keeping you from growing and allowing any type of positive changes to happen.
It’s impossible to have a growth mindset inside your comfort zone.
That’s why it is so important to stretch what feels comfortable for you to include more things that are kind of scary.
Growth Only Happens Outside the Comfort Zone
So whether you are debating showing up on video the first time, reaching out to someone new or that one thing that makes you feel a little nervous and not confident- do it.
I promise you stretching and growing outside your comfort zone will pay off. It already has for me so it can definitely work for you.
Let me know the small ways you are stretching your comfort zone OR what's your favorite roller coaster?
