Stepping Out from Your Comfort Zone

I have always been an introvert and interacting with new people has been one of the things that is hard for me to do. Even small talks scares me because I do not know how to drag the conversation forward. I would not dare initiate a conversation unless it is really necessary.

Thus, one of the things I feared the most ever since I was young was the thought of having to step out from my comfort zone most especially when I finish my degree and have to work.

That is why while I am still in college, I started practicing and training myself to engage with other people even though at the end of the day, it would surely drain my energy. The thought of preparing myself for the future by stepping out from my comfort zone even if I have to do it bit by bit is one of the drives that pushes me to improve myself in terms of social skills.

One thing I did is to apply as an acquisition editor in the writing platform Goodnovel. As an acquisition editor, I have to speak with lots of writers to explain matters to them and guide them to become contracted writers in our platform. I did get to interact with tons of writers and surprisingly, I am doing a rather great job. But it is probably because we interact through emails and chats that is why I still consider it as part of my comfort zone since we do not have to meet in person.

However, when two of my writers suggested that we should meet each other in person since we are in the same city, I was hesitant at first to meet-up with them. This is the introvert me kicking in so I keep having thoughts of wanting to make up some excuse in order for me to not go in that meeting place.

“How will you improve?”

That question crossed my mind and it really bothered me because one of the reasons why I decided to join to become an acquisition editor was to help myself take a few steps away from my comfort zone. Thus, I took a few deep breaths and prepared myself to meet up with two people I just met online.

And attending that meet-up was something I did not regret at all. I was able to converse with them comfortable despite the fact that they were older than I was. It made me think like “Oh, should I consider this as an improvement? Maybe I should.”

So my point is... stepping out from your comfort zone is not just about having to interact with other people or it is not about trying to meet their expectations. But rather, it is also for yourself. It is part of growing up and part of self-improving. Having internal drives to do something is much more powerful to make you act rather than external ones.

So, even if you have to do it at a slow pace, go on and step out of your comfort zone if you think it would be something that will help you in the future.