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By Gary Lockwood |
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Most of us have, in our homes, thermostats that regulate the temperature. When it gets a bit too warm, the air conditioning kicks on to bring the temperature down to an acceptable range. When the temperature drops below a comfortable point, the heater comes on to bring the room temperature up. The “comfort zone” is the range of temperature that’s not too hot and not too cold -- just comfortable. Our personal comfort zone is where we’re comfortable with what we are doing -- in our jobs and our lives. It’s when we experience no feelings of risk or anxiety. Some call it being comfortable. Some call it a rut. Each of us has our own personal comfort zone. We possess built-in thermostats that regulate our levels of anxiety, fear, discomfort. In the areas of our knowledge, skills, habits and attitude, when we step outside our normal, existing boundaries, we begin to feel a bit anxious. Our natural tendency is to pull back. Try this: Fold your arms. Now, fold them the other way. How did that make you feel? Felt a bit unnatural, didn’t it? When we try something new, we often feel uneasy and frequently pull back. That’s why we usually stay within our comfort zone. The security feels good. The downside is that always staying in our comfort zones can be limiting. The world passes us by as we stagnate. Complacency, in our fast-paced competitive world, can be fatal to business and severely limit personal and professional growth. If we aren’t learning, trying new things and growing, our businesses may deteriorate. How do you step out of the comfort zone? Before you just throw all caution to the wind, try some simple things. Drive home a different route. Shop at a different grocery store. Order something from the menu that you’ve never tried before. Make a conscious effort to experiment. Let yourself feel the adrenaline level rise a bit. Allow your anxiety level to increase. Feel your heart rate and breathing going faster. Adrenaline is your body’s natural drug that, in moderation, makes you sharp, creative and quick. It creates the feeling of excitement and exhilaration that comes from trying something new. Recognize that it also can be scary and stressful. Some stress is useful. Too much can be harmful. Some stress provides energy. Too much causes distress and can lead to burnout if done to the extreme. Why would we want to give ourselves the stress of stepping outside the comfort zone? Because that’s where growth takes place. Just like a muscle gets stronger when we exercise it outside its normal range of use, we get stronger when we get out of our rut. And just like our muscles, once we stretch beyond our current capabilities, we never go back to our original dimensions. As we try new things, we gain confidence. Confidence makes us feel powerful and successful. And when we’re confident that we can survive new ideas, we allow ourselves to try even more new things. What’s the limit? Obviously, we need to be realistic in our risk management. The most successful people think through the possible outcomes of taking a risk and then prepare for how they would deal with each. Successful people take risks, but they’re not foolhardy. What are some higher-level activities that could add to your personal and professional growth? Make a list of 50 things that, if you were successful doing them, would make you a better person or would enhance your business: give a speech (oh no!), write and publish an article, start an exercise program, meditate daily, teach a class, feed a homeless person, volunteer, climb a mountain, learn to play a new musical instrument, sign up for a dance class, try for that new client, and so on. From your list, choose one or two that you’re willing to do within the next 90 days. Schedule those one or two new activities, then go for it. Afterward, choose one or two more and do it again. Make personal and professional growth a lifelong habit. Don’t stay parked in the comfort zone. Gary Lockwood is a business coach for entrepreneurs and professionals. He can be reached at 800-272-1575 or by e-mail at gary@bizsuccess.com. |
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