It can certainly be challenging and a little scary to step out of your comfort zone, but facing unfamiliar challenges can help you feel happier and more fulfilled in the long run. You can end up discovering a lot about yourself and your abilities when you make an effort to take risks and try new things. To help you begin this transformation, we’ve rounded up the best, most effective strategies for stepping out of your comfort zone, embarking on new adventures, and expanding your personal horizons.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat does it mean to step out of your comfort zone?Arda Ozdemir is the Executive Coach and Founder of Rise 2 Realize, a nonprofit organization in Palo Alto, California that is dedicated to providing a practical roadmap toward one's full potential in their life and career. Arda is a Reiki Master, an Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner, and a certified HeartMath Trainer and Mentor.Stepping out of your comfort zone means expanding your horizons and courageously facing your fears. You can live a fuller life and live to a higher potential. Most comfort zones are built on fears, and stepping out of the zone shows a readiness to face your fears and expand your options and understanding of the world.
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QuestionWhy is it good to step out of your comfort zone?Arda Ozdemir is the Executive Coach and Founder of Rise 2 Realize, a nonprofit organization in Palo Alto, California that is dedicated to providing a practical roadmap toward one's full potential in their life and career. Arda is a Reiki Master, an Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner, and a certified HeartMath Trainer and Mentor.You should step out of your comfort zone to advance your personal development. You'll understand yourself better. Moving away from your comfort zone means facing your fears, which is courageous and brings new value to your life.
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QuestionHow do you step out of your comfort zone examples?Arda Ozdemir is the Executive Coach and Founder of Rise 2 Realize, a nonprofit organization in Palo Alto, California that is dedicated to providing a practical roadmap toward one's full potential in their life and career. Arda is a Reiki Master, an Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner, and a certified HeartMath Trainer and Mentor.The biggest way I stepped outside my comfort zone is leaving my old career in the finance corporate world. I answered my calling to help and service others. I left finance because I didn't enjoy making a large impact for the company but not for society. I left a large income and lifestyle and followed my calling to become a life coach, which meant leaving my comfort zone, facing my fears, and following my dreams.
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References
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/07/if-youre-not-outside-your-comfort-zone-you-wont-learn-anything
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/06/10/how-to-step-out-of-your-comfort-zone-and-achieve-the-impossible/?sh=3226457a2a89
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2023/01/30/how-to-get-comfortable-taking-risks-according-to-these-eight-entrepreneurs/?sh=29bd41c63992
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shift-mind/201108/breaking-free-your-comfort-zone
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/phobias.html
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/04/26/overcoming-fear-10-ways-to-step-outside-your-comfort-zone/#773281b3882d
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shift-mind/201108/breaking-free-your-comfort-zone
- ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/the-importance-of-stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone/
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashiraprossack1/2022/02/28/5-ways-to-step-outside-of-your-comfort-zone/?sh=3896aeff6ed8
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2023/01/30/how-to-get-comfortable-taking-risks-according-to-these-eight-entrepreneurs/?sh=29bd41c63992
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/07/if-youre-not-outside-your-comfort-zone-you-wont-learn-anything
- ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/the-importance-of-stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone/
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/04/17/13-mental-tricks-to-get-yourself-out-of-your-comfort-zone/?sh=1145fa8e5ec4
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/04/26/overcoming-fear-10-ways-to-step-outside-your-comfort-zone/#773281b3882d
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2023/01/30/how-to-get-comfortable-taking-risks-according-to-these-eight-entrepreneurs/?sh=29bd41c63992
- ↑ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1262726.pdf
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/07/if-youre-not-outside-your-comfort-zone-you-wont-learn-anything
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/04/26/overcoming-fear-10-ways-to-step-outside-your-comfort-zone/#59699d1e882d
About This Article
If you want to step out of your comfort zone, try starting with small things so it doesn’t seem like a big jump. For example, talk to a stranger at the grocery store or listen to a new genre of music. Once these small challenges become a daily routine, you’ll find it much easier to tackle bigger challenges. You can also ask a friend to join you for support in doing an activity that’s outside your comfort zone, like an exercise class or skydiving. If you’re feeling stressed about the activity, take deep breaths to help calm yourself down. Remember to approach your challenge with a positive outlook, which will encourage you to take it head on. For instance, if you’re worried about applying for a promotion at work because you don’t think you’ll get it, imagine what it would be like if you did get it. For tips from our co-author on how to break up larger challenges into manageable steps, keep reading!
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