Today is the day you’re going to start showing off your brave and confident self. You’re going to look your fears in the eye and tell yourself you’re stronger than this present moment.
Yet, none of that will work if you’re still being held back by your comfort zone. The only way to break free of your comfort zone is to consciously take a leap of faith.
Draw up a detailed plan, set up a safety net, start small—whatever it takes to get the ball rolling. Remember, we don’t want you to change who you are. We want you to expand your comfort zone and become happier, healthier, and more productive.
If this sounds like something that interests you, then keep reading. We’re here to help you make the most of your comfort zone so you can become the fierce and fearless person you truly are!
Let’s dive in!
Why You Should Break Free of Your Comfort Zone
It could be a project you’ve had your eye on at work or that trip to Italy you’ve been planning for years. Whatever the unfamiliar may be in your life, your brain will quickly let you know it’s dangerous and risky.
That’s when the whole downward spiral of ‘what ifs’ starts. You convince yourself that staying where you are is safer and more predictable. That’s what the experts refer to as your comfort zone.
This is the zone where you feel like life is normal and stress-free. It’s where you go to take a breather and conserve your energy for when you have to deal with the outside world.
Below are some reasons why breaking free of your comfort zone is good for you.
Your Comfort Zone is Limiting Your Growth
Our comfort zone keeps us safe, protected, and, well, comfortable. ‘What’s wrong with that?’ you’re probably wondering.
Well, the problem is that staying in a nice, little box isn’t how you grow as an individual. You’re not exposed to new experiences or opportunities. You don’t meet new people and get the chance to expand your horizons.
You learn more about life and who you are as a person when you step outside that zone of comfort.
Think of your comfort zone as being like your parent’s house. You love your parents. You know they’re there to protect you and keep you safe, just like your comfort zone.
Still, you’d never think of spending your entire life living with your parents. You’d feel stifled and may even begin to resent them for holding you back.
So, you leave to find a place of your own and start finding your way in the world. That’s the same way with your comfort zone.
Discover Who You Really Are
How can you discover what your strengths and weaknesses are if you’re always doing the same thing every day? How can you find out what you like and dislike? You can’t!
There’s no room for you to grow from your successes or learn from your mistakes.
Being fierce and fearless doesn’t mean you’re never afraid. It means you feel the fear, acknowledge it, and then do the things that scare you anyway.
Admit that you’re nervous and that your stomach feels like it’s doing somersaults. Identify what’s making you uncomfortable, then push yourself through it.
Once you’re on the other side, you’ll be surprised at how strong and determined you are. Pat yourself on the back for going through with it. Then, reward yourself with something nice. You deserve it!
Seek Out Those Who Support and Encourage You
We’re social beings. We don’t do very well when we’re isolated.
If you’re lucky, you may have friends or family you can turn to. It could be several people, or just one person, who understand your struggles and support you.
Yet, there are times when you’ll be surrounded by people, but you’ll still feel isolated. That’s when you know you’re spending too much time in your comfort zone.
These individuals are probably not as supportive of your goals as you’d like. Maybe they don’t understand what you’re doing or why you’re doing it.
In situations like this, you have to go out and actively seek new people to bring into your life. You can join a support group, take a class, or do volunteer work. The point is to find people with similar interests and help you improve and develop.
Change Your Definition of Comfort
What usually happens is that our brains are wired to expect the worst. So, to keep us safe, they send strong, emotion-filled signals that keep you glued to your comfort zone.
To escape this self-made hole, you have to change how you define the term ‘comfort.’
Instead of seeing it as this safe haven, why not see it for what it really is? A place where you feel bored and stagnant.
Or, if you want to be more positive, you can reframe it to mean learning, purpose, and growth. By shifting your mindset, you’ll be able to create a positive environment that helps you change for the better. The rest will come naturally.
Become More Resilient
Our brains don’t like change or stress. That’s why it works so hard at keeping you pegged in a comfort zone that’s barely big enough for you to stand up in.
That said, there are certain types of change that can create a good type of stress. That’s the type we need to boost our creativity at work, keep us focused, and give us the drive we need to keep going. It’s also the type of stress that allows us to respond to life’s unexpected occurrences with resilience.
Yes, you’ll fail at some things. You’re not perfect.
The best way to become fierce and fearless is to put your failures to good use. See them as a learning opportunity, rather than a chance to wallow in self-pity and denial.
