For most of the time, we live in a very steady state. We do our
things the same way, day after day, and life seems to be peaceful,
comfortable and easygoing. However, occasionally we have to do
something that we don’t feel too comfortable about. For example, you
have to make a presentation for your colleagues at work – even if you
hate doing presentations or public speaking. What about meeting a new
person, with whom you can only communicate using English language (while
you native language is something else)? No matter how bad your English
skills are, you have to do it, because you don’t want to give a rude
impression of yourself. Stretching your comfort zone is mandatory for
your own development’s sake. Here are six reasons why you should love
stretching your comfort zone – instead of hating it.
1. You grow – and so does your comfort zone
When you stretch your comfort zone, you grow as a person. For
instance, two years ago my job description changed and I wasn’t too
happy about it. I was resisting the change for some time, until I
realized that this was a great place for growth. Now, two years later, I
have learned new skills, gained more confidence and I know that I’m
ready for the next situation like this in the future. Something that
you were once afraid of or felt impossible to do is now part of your
skillset. Your comfort zone has grown in the process.
2. You feel more confident I
mentioned about this already, but once you get past your limits, you
will feel more confident and very good about yourself. If you had to
give that presentation to your colleagues, I bet you were quite nervous
before the presentation. Your heart was beating like crazy and you were
sweating – yet you knew you had to do the presentation. Well, how did
you feel after finishing that presentation? I bet you felt good about
yourself! You were relieved of course, but at the same time you proved
yourself that you can do such a thing if you want to. This good feeling
is great capital for the similar events in the future. If you have to
make that presentation again, just remember the great feeling you got
after finishing your presentation earlier. Focus on the good feeling –
instead of worrying how the presentation will go this time.
3. You learn something new The
whole process of stretching your comfort zone is very educational.
After my job description has changed, I’m now able to do things in more
confident manner than before – like speaking on the phone in a foreign
language. I know that if I had turned down this new job opportunity, I
probably wouldn’t be that good doing it. When you go outside your
comfort zone, you will also learn something about yourself – how you act
in certain situations. In my scenario, even if I had kept myself very
positive and productive person, I had some occasional moments, when I
was less optimistic and I wanted to give up. Also, I did procrastinate
on certain tasks. However, this was all part of the process –
stretching my personal comfort zone. Since I learned how I act in a
particular situation, it helps me to prepare for the similar situations
in the future.
4. You are doing things that most people are not
To be more successful in life or in business, you have to take bull by
the horns and do something different than others. In my personal life,
running a marathon was something that none of my friends had done. They
had talked about it, but I was the first one to do it and felt really
good about myself afterwards. When the business is concerned, getting
out of your comfort zone is one way of being different than your
competitors – you are doing stuff that others are not willing to. For
example, if you get a chance to speak in front of an audience and your
competitor is not willing to do that (because he/she is afraid to do
it), you will be better known for larger audience, thus it may even
spark new business opportunities.
5. You move faster to your goals
You can take the step-by-step approach of doing something or you can
take the “stretch your comfort zone” route. Especially when you take the
latter one, you will reach your goals faster. For example, if you own a
blog and you want to make it known for bigger audiences (thus gaining
more followers), you have to do things that you don’t like doing. This
could be starting a YouTube channel and recording new videos on a
regular basis. Or, it could be writing a guest posts for other blogs,
whose audiences have a bigger reach that yours. Whatever the situation
is, if you are willing to step outside your current comfort zone, you
will cross your finish line earlier.
6. You get new opportunities You
are more likely going to get exposed to new opportunities, if you want
to get outside your comfort area. For example, couple of years ago I
made a change in my lifestyle and I lost weight. Not only did I feel
good about this, but I also got some unexpected publicity – in the form
of magazine articles. I know that this wouldn’t have been possible, if I
hadn’t first stretched my comfort zone. If you are willing to go
outside your zone, there is much bigger change for something good and
unexpected to happen. New opportunities start to show up and you thank
yourself for stretching your comfort zone.
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