Breaking Free: The Art of Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Your comfort zone – it’s a nice place to be, isn’t it? That warm and cosy feeling of familiar surroundings and having everything in its rightful place makes it difficult to leave somewhere so comfortable. After all, as humans, we’re creatures of comfort.

What is a comfort zone?

The comfort zone is a psychological state where you feel at ease because you’re not being tested. It’s a natural, neutral place where stress and anxiety are kept to a minimum and you know what's coming next, so you can plan accordingly. 

When you’re in your comfort zone, you feel safe and in control, which gives you more self-confidence to be able to do things.  

Why step outside your comfort zone?

While it’s very nice and familiar in your comfort zone, it can be quite restrictive. It's difficult to grow and evolve your life and career if you stay in one place and stick to what you know. That’s why, even though it may seem frightening, it’s good to step outside your comfort zone once in a while. 

Stepping outside of your comfort zone can help increase your creativity and productivity because you’re pushing yourself out of what you’ve become accustomed to and challenging yourself in new areas. By doing this, you can tap into previously unused knowledge and resources. 

Being outside of your comfort zone can also help you learn more about yourself – like your barriers, any limiting beliefs, your tolerances, and you may even find a new skill. 

Of course, there’s always a risk in everything we do and it’s easy to get caught up in a fear of failure. But often, the risks pay off, and you won’t know unless you give it a go. 

How do I step outside my comfort zone?

It can feel daunting when you think about stepping outside your comfort zone, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 ways to help you take the first step…

1. Take small steps 

Think about where you want to be and how you intend to get there. Then, break it down into bite-sized chunks and create a plan. Small steps are less scary and overwhelming than taking one giant leap into the unknown. So try doing something new towards your end goal each day. It could be as simple as striking up a conversation with a fellow parent on the school run, or sending a personalised connection request to someone you admire on LinkedIn.

I’ve found this approach to be particularly useful as I’ve set up my business and as I’ve become more comfortable using LinkedIn. I used to cringe at writing a personalised note with a connection request – until I’d done it many times. Inviting someone to a virtual coffee filled me with dread. What if they said NO?! I’m happy to say that these days my diary is full of virtual coffees, during which I’ve met many amazing people and I no longer bat an eyelid about asking!

2. Team up with a friend

Things always seem less scary when you share the experience with someone you know and trust. So if you’re thinking of joining a gym or starting a new business, see if you can team up with a friend to make it less overwhelming. Doing anything with a friend is always more fun, and you can support one another along the way. 

I made use of this trick when I wanted to start running…I roped my friend in and 4 years later we’re training for a half marathon in the autumn!

3. Make changes to your daily routine

If you tend to do the same things every day, an easy way to step out of your comfort zone is to switch it up a bit. If you always get the bus to work, aim to walk at least part of the way once a week, or get the train instead.

Changing our routine helps us see things from a different perspective. I love taking a slightly different dog walk in the mornings and seeing the different things on that route. It confuses Watson (my dog), but that doesn’t last long. It gives me a clear head and more energy to try new things. 

4. Find your motivation

Surround yourself with people you admire and who are achieving the things you want to achieve. By doing this, you’ll feel motivated to find the same success and it won’t seem so daunting.

This is one of the reasons why I agreed to lead the networking group Women’s Inspire Network. [add link] When we collaborate and support each other, we progress at a much faster pace and with greater confidence. 

5. Challenge yourself

We’re all wired to want to succeed, but it’s important not to be afraid of failing. A good way to start is to set yourself some mini challenges like saying “yes” to at least one thing each week, or facing your fears. For instance, if you have a fear of public speaking, sign up to give a presentation of your business at a local event or offer to deliver a speech at your work. You could even reward yourself if you complete your challenge successfully. 

If this is an example that frightens you then I can highly recommend joining a local Toastmasters club. Here’s a picture of me having won the “open mic” talking slot at one of the local sessions!

How can coaching help?

Coaching is a great way to help you step outside of your comfort zone as it allows you to discuss your challenges in a safe, non-judgmental space where you’re heard. Your coach can guide you to explore the limiting beliefs that are holding you back and help you define a challenge that’s achievable and will help you grow. They’ll also hold you accountable so you can create some momentum in reaching your end goal.

How can mental fitness help?

The mental fitness programme is perfect to help you step outside of your comfort zone. 

Firstly, it helps you understand what’s stopping you from taking action. It also enables you to identify the “justification lies” that you’re telling yourself that are keeping you in familiar territory.

Not only that, it teaches you techniques to use in the moment so you can identify the voice of the Judge and its accomplice saboteurs, allowing you to be calm and present. 

These techniques stop your brain heading down the well-trodden path within your comfort zone and start allowing you to choose a different response.

Finally, from a place of Sage (presence in the moment, where anything is possible) you can choose to take a different course of action from a place of believing that anything is possible. 

Please DM me if you would like more information on my Mental Fitness Programme.

Source: PositivePsychology.com Toolkit – ‘Leaving The Comfort Zone’

Personal story

A number of years back, I entered a physical challenge called “The Dirty Dozen”, which was a 10km race with some insane obstacles to climb. 

At the time I wasn’t running, but I wanted to physically challenge myself. So I booked onto a session with the organiser “The Beard” to learn how to get myself over these obstacles. I vividly remember The Beard drawing a circle on the ground with his foot and stating that we don’t grow if we don’t step outside of our comfort zone. 

I was slightly petrified if I’m totally honest. In front of me was an 8ft wall and I just couldn’t see how I could climb over it. 

But he showed me the techniques, he helped me believe that I could do it, and I saw it was possible. So I gave it a go.

And I was thrilled when I did it. I actually did it! I even had the calf bruises to prove it!

Since I’ve had a coach, I’ve been continuously pushed outside of my comfort zone. 

Do a live? Stand up and present? Face the conflict head on… 

Each time I do these things I feel slightly sick and my tummy turns, but the feeling afterwards is so incredible. And I love how the journey of this grows with me. Doing a live doesn’t tend to faze me anymore…but there are plenty of things that still do!

As a coach, there’s nothing more rewarding and fulfilling than seeing a client step outside of their comfort zone. One lady I was coaching was scared of going live on social media as well. I set her a challenge to do one in the next 24 hours, and I was so proud to see she’d done it, and so well, too!

Book of the month

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

A completely different book choice this month – and one that shows you a little more of the sort of things that I like to read. I’ve always has a fascination with murder mysteries. I watched Murder She Wrote, Colombo and plenty of Agatha Christie as a child. The love of crime fiction remains and I have to say that Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series doesn’t disappoint – although for the pedants among you, myself included Tunbridge Wells doesn’t have a Waitrose (unfortunately)! But I did LOL when he mentioned this error in book 2!

Mindfulness tip

I have a treat for you in this month's Mindfulness tip. A recorded meditation on taking yourself out of your comfort zone. You have time for this. Give it a go!

Listen here to listen.

In case you missed it:

What's Next Challenge

Are you still battling it out between your head and your heart on what to do next? If so, take my FREE 5-day What’s Next Challenge. For more information and to get started click HERE.

Slow Down to Speed Up Webinar and Mastermind

Did you get a chance to attend my webinar on Slowing Down to Speed Up without Dropping the Ball? I've had some great feedback on it. You can catch a recording here.

I'm excited to announce that I am launching a Slow Down to Speed Up Mastermind. Over the course of 12 months I will take 8 women on an incredible journey of supporting them as they learn all the techniques to really slow down and be more content, fulfilled, less stress or anxious; simply put how to be the best version of yourself. If you would like to know more then either DM me or send me an email.

Women's Inspire Network

Did you see that I am now involved in the Women’s Inspire Network. You can follow the LinkedIn Group here.

Powerful Conversations with these Powerful Women - these conversations are great fun and not to be missed. Over the last 4 weeks I've had these amazing conversations:

Jacqueline Cripps – rewatch here

Helen Hill – rewatch here

And not to be missed in the coming weeks:

More powerful conversations with these amazing ladies: Sophie Benge, Carole Armitage, Shinara George, and Sam Phillips.

And because I like to try out new things...

I've turned my Powerful Conversations into a podcast. Exciting!

So don't miss them... follow me here!

I recently met Sara Powell through LinkedIn. She's holding an incredible Executive Women's Wellness Retreat in Mallorca, Spain from June 7-11

Impactury's all-inclusive wellness retreats help busy women executives like you tune into a deep level of self-awareness so you can start living a life with more purpose, joy, and ease.

• Relax & recharge in nature
• Rediscover your authentic self & inner voice
• Let go of limiting beliefs
• Connect with inspiring women
• Spa treatments & sunset sailboat charter
• Post-retreat executive coaching

Take a look. It sounds DIVINE and life-changing!