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Breaking Boundaries for Growth by Expanding Comfort Zone

The Oxford Dictionary defines a Comfort zone as “A place or situation in which you feel safe or comfortable, especially when you choose to stay in this situation instead of trying to work harder or achieve more“.

It’s in the outskirts of complacency that you grow and progress and change.

GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

‘As an evolutionary function of the human mind is to keep us safe from harm, we commonly develop habits that prevent us from doing things that would put us at risk or expose us to what we may perceive as dangerous’, taken from an article which beautifully explains why we, humans, develop a comfort zone? It is an inseparable part of us. It is evolutionary to keep us away from predators and unhospitable places.

There is a vital need to get out of the zone, but why? For learning and growth. Once in our comfort zone, we do not want to explore or do something new and risky. That lets us find out who we are.

But true growth, excellence, and achievement cannot come from stagnation. Your dreams, your goals cannot be achieved unless you are first willing to leave your comfort zone and spread out, take chances and occasionally fail.

GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

I admit, that getting out of a comfort zone is difficult and undesirable. So instead, expand it little by little, and form a new zone and expand it further, making it a continuous process. A slow but sure process and a less harsh approach.

Below are tips for the process:

• Learning something new every day: This brings a shift in life and makes sure you are not stagnant.
• Trying out something that makes you uncomfortable: Reduces fear of failure and new things.
• Not letting failure hinder you and acknowledging that it’s a part of the process.
• Do not depend on validation from others also do not compare yourself to others’ growth: It is a personal journey and judgement from others should not be a part of it.
• Always appreciate your expanded comfort zone. look back and assess: Gets you through those hard days when you feel less about yourself
• Be accountable for taking baby steps at least every day: Maybe you take a day off or two, and shoulder the responsibility of not getting distracted.
• Find a mentor: A trusted guide is irreplaceable in this journey.

You can’t reach your goals while in the (Comfort) zone, it’s not possible. Don’t blow off your dreams because you don’t want to leave the (Comfort) zone.

GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Hope this blog gives you enough reason and motivation to keep learning and expand your comfort zone. Write down in the comments section below your thoughts and suggestions. I am always eager to hear from you.

Until next time:)

PS: This is quite an interesting TED I saw about comfort zone by Zubin Zhang, discover here an insightful Podcast about the same.