But what does that I mean? And is it even a good idea?
The truth is comfort zones are more complicated than most people think.
Ask any average Joe on the street what a comfort zone is, and he’ll tell you it’s “the way you’re used to doing things.” Or “it’s a state where you feel in control and familiar with what’s going on.”
A psychologist may say our comfort zone is a space where our behaviors and activities fit a routine and pattern that minimizes our stress and perception of risk.
Doing familiar things and having routines gives us a sense of mental security, so we tend to spend most of our time in our comfort zone. However, that doesn’t mean our lives are always the same…
Comfort Zones Are Not Static
Everyone has a comfort zone. However, it’s different for each one of us. And our comfort zone changes over time as our thoughts, actions, experiences, skillsets, and goals evolve.
For the most part, leaving our comfort zone doesn’t present an actual threat to us. Rather, it’s what we perceive as threatening, such as speaking in public or being in the dark. Or it could be any time you go to make a significant change in lifestyle, or you are setting a goal that results in you skipping a couple of rungs on the ladder of success.
You would expect that over time your comfort zone will expand as you learn, grow, and have more life experience. However, the opposite can be true.
For example, if you keep having the same or similar experiences, your comfort zone can shrink if you aren’t training or preparing yourself for the experience. The same thing happens to your muscles when you stop training them; they begin to atrophy.
Is It a Good Idea to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone?
Since you’re already reasonably comfortable in life, why would you want to change that? Why introduce stress?
First, you’ve got to realize stress is not always bad for you. Feeling dissatisfied is often a healthy stress that can be a catalyst for growth. It can provide you with powerful motivation that moves you forward to action.
If you step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, you’ll grow and take on new risks. Being unwilling to take risks is like saying you’re okay with settling for “good enough.”
But you weren’t designed for “good enough.” You were born to grow and pursue greater and greater accomplishments. “Good enough” means you’re turning your back on a future that is so much better than anything you can imagine right now.
So, the next time you come across a new idea or opportunity, ask yourself this: “Will this new idea improve the direction of my life? Is it positive? Creative? Constructive?”
If the answer is “yes,” it’s a good idea to step out of your comfort zone.
You’re More Capable Than You Think
Always remember, you have deep reservoirs of talent and ability. You can draw those abilities to the surface and shift toward greater prosperity when you move beyond your current comfort zone.
Not only that, but you’ll be opening your subconscious mind. That makes it easier to see the possibilities in things that other people call pipe dreams. After all, one person’s pipe dream could be your path to true life satisfaction.
If moving beyond your comfort zone will likely make you slightly uncomfortable, or maybe wholly uncomfortable. However, it’s what pushes you to achieve goals that once seemed unreachable and to make your life far more rewarding.
Your Thoughts?
Like all things, a comfort zone can be both a good and a bad thing. However, staying locked in it indefinitely will not allow you to be who you are capable of being. And, most certainly, your big dreams and goals won’t come to pass because you need to stretch to reach them, and you can’t do that from your comfort zone.
Do you think people should sometimes stay in their comfort zone, or should they push at the boundaries of their comfort zone relentlessly? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.
To more and better,
Sandy Gallagher
P.S. Are you living your life inside of your comfort zone? Download “5 Ways to Know You Are In Your Comfort Zone” to find out.
