How To Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Today we are going to be talking about comfort zones. Specifically, how to get out of your comfort zone. Stepping outside of your comfort zones is a key factor in growing your confidence. We need to teach our kids this too! 

What is a Comfort Zone?

You may be thinking what is a comfort zone anyway?? A comfort zone is that comfortable spot we stay in when there is risk involved.

The teacher asks a student to come up in the front of the class to present their answer. Suddenly you can that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach and a tiny bit of fear inside of you. Can you feel that feeling right now just giving you this scenario? I bet you do. So, you decide to stay in your comfort zone and not raise your hand. You stay in that comfy spot at your desk and do not take the risk of getting up in front of the class.

Why do we have a comfort zone? We choose to stay in this comfy spot to avoid feeling any discomfort.  BUT….. When we stay in our comfort zones all the time, we are playing small.

But that is NOT how you are going to build up your confidence

Now when I talk about stepping outside our comfort zones, I am talking about taking smart risks in your life.  Its risks that we know won’t hurt us.  I am not talking about risks like jumping off a cliff, that is not a smart risk.

My Comfort Zone Story!

When I was young, I was a fast runner I mean really fast. I probably would have been pretty good at things like soccer or track but that would have taken me to step outside my comfort zone to even try out for the team.  My fear got the best of me and the fear of unknown was crippling to me as a kid.  I never wanted to do anything that I didn’t think I was 100% good at. So, growing up I didn’t try much of anything I was interested in or curious about. I was scared to step outside my comfort zone.

Benefits

There are so many benefits from stepping outside our comfort zones. One of the most important ones is that it helps us grow our confidence. Like I talked about in episode 2 What is confidence, we talked about how when you get a little outside tour comfort zone your confidence build upon each other.

When you step outside your comfort zone You become braver, it allows you to be more creative, you can adapt to change, and the failure you fear doesn’t knock you down for good.

So here’s what I want you to do….. think about something you have wanted to do but you are feeling a little nervous about….

Maybe it’s trying out for the play at school, maybe it’s taking a painting class because you love art but none of your friends do so you are afraid of what they might think. These smart risks and the uncomfortable you feel when thinking about them are normal.

Nerves are normal. It’s there to tell you that you are about to do something that is a little outside your comfort zone.

Here’s the key: You must get comfortable with that nervous feeling when stepping outside your comfort zone when taking a smart risk.

My next tip is to take that one BIG idea you have and break it down into smaller steps.

Here’s an example: You want to try out for the play at school.

Write down the steps you must take.

1) Sign up for the play- Writing your name on the sign-up sheet takes guts and bravery

2) Practice your lines to yourself

3) Practice in front of someone you trust, like your mom or your dad

4) Last Audition for the play

We can build up our confidence when we step outside our comfort zones and take smart risks. There are so many benefits that will stay with you for your entire life. You have to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable. Now go out there and step outside that comfort zone!

CLICK HERE! 10 ways to boost her confidence free printable