Written by: Tina Collura, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As the new year begins, many people start by setting resolutions for themselves only to find that they slide back into that comfort zone within a few weeks or months (sometimes even days!). The resolutions are quickly forgotten or pushed aside. This year let’s do something a bit different.
The Comfort Zone
Are you stuck in your comfort zone? It is an easy thing to do. After all, your comfort zone is well… comfortable. It’s safe, calm, and cozy, and there is never that feeling of being out of control. Unfortunately, it is also a place where you can be stagnant. You don’t learn and grow in your comfort zone and therefore can end up limiting yourself and stifling your potential.
I want you to start by identifying the three things that you want to change in 2021. They could be about anything. Perhaps you want to start having a healthier lifestyle, or you are looking to change careers. Maybe it’s that you want to start having a better work/life balance or better relationships. Whatever it is, I want you to ask the following questions and write down the answers.
Will moving outside of your comfort zone add value to your life or those around you?
Why do you want to move outside of your comfort zone? Is it for you, or is it because of outside influences?
Are you ready to commit to your plan and give it 110%? Are you ready to commit to the actions needed to succeed?
Will being successful in your goal make you genuinely happy?
Were those easy to answer? If you are ready to commit to this new goal, the answer is probably yes. Perhaps it’s been yes for years, though. So, what stopped you? Was it a four-letter word that starts with ‘F’? I mean fear, of course.
The Fear Zone
As you think about moving out of your comfort zone and going along a new path, what fears do you feel are holding you back? Some common ones are a fear of failure and not being good enough. Some people have fears about what others will think and if they will be viewed as an imposter. Perhaps it’s the risk of losing control or having the security of the status quo.
Do any of those resonate with you? Is it something else?
So, how do you work past these fears? My first recommendation is to start small as this will help gain your confidence about being outside of that comfort zone.
Here are 9 steps for you to take which will help you succeed with your larger goals.
1. Switch Up Your Routine
For example, try a different route if you are out driving or walking instead of going the same way you normally go. Another example is changing up your morning routine. If you have a routine that has become a habit, see if you can change one small thing. This will help you become more adaptable.
2. Move Towards Fear
This one sounds scary, doesn’t it? I want you to try something that you are afraid of. Perhaps it’s cooking a new recipe or going for a ten-minute walk by yourself. The main thing is that I want you to try something that makes you a bit uncomfortable.
One of the things I encourage my clients to do is called 10 for 10. In it, I want them to try ten new things for ten days (or weeks or months)
This will help you become more comfortable with vulnerability.
3. Give up Control of Something
Are you a bit of a control freak? Start by letting go of something small. This will help free you from needless worries and allow you to focus on what is important…. Like yourself!
4. Try Something New Until You're Comfortable
Repetition is key here. For example, maybe you want to start your morning with some stretching or deep breathing techniques, but you feel awkward and unsure of what you are doing. Don’t stop! If you keep doing it, you will gain more and more confidence.
5. Ask Questions
By asking questions, you ‘arm’ yourself with knowledge that will help not only your confidence but can often lead you to your greatest ideas and insights.
6. Start Conversations with strangers
I know this can be incredibly challenging for introverts or very shy people, but it’s a great way to get comfortable with public speaking and let your voice be heard. By starting a random conversation with someone while waiting in line or walking in a park can be great first steps. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation… you can even start by saying ‘hi.’
7. Say Yes When You Normally Would Say No
That sounds strange, doesn’t it? I want you to agree to something you would normally say no to in the past. It’s time to stretch your boundaries a bit.
8. Appreciate Those Around You
Take the time to appreciate (and show appreciation) for those around you. Taking that moment to remember the good in your life, whether it be people or things, can help you realize that beauty, love, and support surround you.
9. Get in Front of a Camera
It’s time to stop hiding and be seen.
I remember when Covid-19 lockdown measures went into place here in Ontario. I had committed that year to focus on the growth of my coaching business, but how was I going to do this with these new restrictions? It seems so obvious in hindsight, but at the time, I was terrified about going virtual and doing videos. I will be honest, those first couple of videos I did were a bit awkward, and barely anyone watched them. The main thing is that I had tried, and even though I wasn’t happy with the results, I kept at it. And guess what? I got better! I was more comfortable and got to the point where I was excited to do them. I moved from recorded videos to live videos to have a better connection with the people watching and answer the questions as they came up. With that increase in energy and confidence, my viewers grew as well!
By moving yourself out of the Comfort Zone and through the Fear Zone, you will now be able to enter the Learning and Growing Zone.
Turn your vision into your reality by doing the following three things:
Get Visual – Create a Vision Board to help you visualize and gain clarity on what your goals are.
Break down your action plan into small achievable steps (which is actually my superpower!) and celebrate those wins!
Build a support system with the people around you! We all need to hear encouragement from time to time, so find at least one person who will cheer you on.
If you are interested in working with me directly to help you create a plan and move it into action, please contact me at tina@seeyourselfgrow.com. I would love to hear from you and help you in your path to success!
Tina Collura, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tina Collura helps highly motivate and self-driven people who are struggling with working long hours, missing out on precious moments with their families and who are always putting themselves last regain 12 days a year! She helps these people take back their lives, make their visions a reality with a detailed and customized action plan that will start getting them results in less than 30 days!
Tina's is the Founder and CEO of the "See Yourself Grow" Coaching Company established in 2009. She has been a successful coach since 2005! Certified with the Quantum Success Coaching Academy.
Tina was just named as one of the 500 people featured on the Brainz Magazine 500 Global list of 2020, for her outstanding Entrepreneurial Work and Coaching Processes!
