I Want To Break Free: Pushing Out Of Your Comfort Zone.... The Duratus Way.

Written by Professor Martin I. Jones

As a human performance specialist, I’ve worked with hundreds of individuals who have pushed themselves to their limits and pressed into areas they previously thought impossible. Based on these experiences, I have learned that sometimes the most challenging part of achieving our goals is breaking free from our comfort zones.

So, how do we push ourselves out of that comfy cocoon and into the unknown? Here are a few tips to get you started:

Embrace the Fear

Fear can be a powerful motivator or a paralysing force. It is perfectly normal to experience fear when approaching an unfamiliar situation, but that should not stop you. The key is to acknowledge the fear and focus on what you can control. Even in the most volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous situations, you can hold onto (and control) your beliefs, choices, and attitudes. If you can create a mindset that helps to regulate your emotions by choosing your response to the situation, you can master fear.?

Recognise that discomfort is a natural part of growth and that you can learn from every challenge.

Set Goals

Setting specific, measurable goals can help you focus your efforts and stay on track. Be sure to set challenging but achievable goals and track your progress along the way. If you need help with goal setting, Duratus has a highly-rated online course on goal setting that can help you set your goals and, more importantly, achieve your goals.?

Take Action

Taking action is the only way to truly push yourself out of your comfort zone. Start small, and gradually work your way up to bigger challenges. Remember, every step forward is a step closer to achieving your goals. Sometimes the inertia to progress can feel too great and stops people from starting. When pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, start small and focus on one thing at a time. If you are trying to push in multiple directions, managing various new stressors can be overwhelming. With support, target one thing per day and gradually build complexity until you can extend your comfort bubble.?

Surround Yourself with Support

A solid support system can make all the difference when trying to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I recommended thinking about creating a scaffold around your experience. In this way, your zone of proximal development, the area outside of your comfort zone, is supported so it doesn’t collapse. In practice, a scaffold is a type of social support (i.e., a coach or mentor) that helps you achieve something you cannot perform on your own. Over time, the scaffolding is gradually removed until you can execute the skills and tasks without support. You can then build new scaffolds around your increasing zone of proximal development.?

Remember, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is not about being reckless or putting yourself in harm's way. It's about taking calculated risks and challenging yourself to grow and achieve more than your perceived normal.

If you're stuck or need extra support, don't hesitate to contact one of our Duratus coaches. We're here to help you achieve your goals and be the best version of yourself.