Exiting comfort zone

Life is great when we feel at ease and fulfilled at any moment, but this only lasts a while most of the time. It is well to wish to be away at least just before the end of the comfort comes, especially if the outcome is uncertain and predictably unexpected. Sometimes we enjoy the comfort very much but the end comes quite fast leaving us to figure out what next.

''The best things in life are often waiting for you at the exit ramp of your comfort zone." Karen Salmansohn

Human wants are insatiable and form the greatest drivers for continuous improvement in our effort to enhanced comfort. We admire that which looks good but we do not possess, hopping against all odds that if we get it we shall be satisfied, only to end up in the vicious cycle. If my main source of comfort was cut off, how would I survive? That is the question to ask oneself while in the comfort zone.

Explore rightly acceptable sources of prosperity when there is time. While the sources of our comfort vary, financial prosperity plays a key role in shaping it up. Do not live imagining starting up a multi-million dollar investment if you are afraid to start small. Sometimes all you need is a viable commercial idea to solve a problem and transform the world. Then you have the opportunity to select who should really fund it among many competing investors interested in it. You can also just start up a suitable small business of own choice in the neighborhood, that you oversee partly as it evolves. Every minute of delay to start isn't worth the agony to catch up when the comfort zone slips away.

Some of the greatest entrepreneurs branched off from college and never completed on time if at all, and have employed several of those who graduated with top scores around the world. Human capability and creativity is not limited to formal learning. The origin of Microsoft, Facebook and Apple clearly brings this to mind.

Learn, unlearn and relearn. To the much you know, more can be added to it. Be open to different views, emerging trends in area of focus, assess and use these only wherever relevant to your course. Link up with specialist in your area of interest, pick up lessons from them and build yourself for the next level of comfort. Be real to yourself and cognizant of your true competency which can be complemented as long as you've set your goals right and determined to achieve them.

Be ready to live with the good, the bad and the ugly. They include the really good supporters, repeat customers bringing in others and consuming your products, big players ready to cut you to size and leave you disoriented, or conspirators working hard with unscrupulous authorities to let you down or fleece you of your hard earned position.

At one time one start-up delivered required goods and services which were consumed by the recipient but the latter declined to pay up fully. The start-up did not have solid contractual documentation approved by both parties and gave up finally on the chase for payment. This could as well be a shared problem; when starting a business of sorts, get the relevant approvals and firm up any agreements with suitably approved engagements, besides working on great products and sustaining satisfied customers.

Plan, do, check and adjust. It's unlike just plunging yourself into the Amazon River expecting to swim downstream to your destiny as intended. Every step you take along the journey counts. Like the famous Wildebeest migration from the Maasai Mara to Serengeti and back, the path is fraught with its package of challenges; from broken legs during the swim, being fresh protein to the ready bask of crocodiles, natural drowning, diminishing energy levels and many others.

Soldier on, fail-safe quickly and let not your boat capsize at the shore. For you are set on the prize outside the comfort zone. No single Fortune 100 got there on day 1, day 100 or day 300 from start up. It is a journey. Be patient. Above all commit to the Almighty.