Get Unstuck with the Daily OCZ

You’ve probably heard the quote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If you’re feeling stuck on your Big Vision journey, here’s something to try: Do one small thing each day outside of your comfort zone (OCZ). If the phrase, “outside your comfort zone” makes you want to throw up, don’t panic. I’m not talking about skydiving, or quitting your job. I’m not asking you to “do one thing each day that scares you.” The OCZ isn’t a dramatic action. It’s a daily action, so it needs to be small and manageable.

There’s no right way to do your daily OCZ because everyone’s comfort zone is different. For one person, talking with someone they don’t know is outside their comfort zone. For another person, being alone with their journal for half an hour is outside their comfort zone. The point isn’t to prove what big a risk-taker you are, it’s to mix things up. To do things differently. To get unstuck.

If you’re having trouble coming up with OCZ ideas, ask yourself: How do I usually do things? What feels comfortable and familiar? How would I finish the sentence, “I always ______________?” Now think about how you could take a tiny step outside of that comfort zone today.

HERE ARE 7 OCZ EXAMPLES:

1. Spend more time alone, or with people.
2. Add more structure, or flow to how you shape your day.
3. Express yourself in a different medium.
4. React differently.
5. Speak up more, or less.
6. Give more, or less.
7. When you feel a little nudge to do something, but then you hear yourself say, “I can’t,” “I shouldn’t,” or “maybe another time,” do it anyway.

AND HERE ARE 2 REMINDERS

1. Physiologically, feeling anxious is similar to feeling excited.
2. The OCZ is supposed to be a muscle stretch, not a muscle strain. Keep it small.

Raindrops can fill a bucket. You can get unstuck with your tiny daily OCZs.

Photo by?kazuend?on?Unsplash

You have to get out of your?comfort zone?in order to grow.?~?Octavia Spencer