The Comfort Zone; Get Out of the Trap!
"I am enjoying my life, I don't have to do much. Everything I need is at my beck and call. I pray it continues this way".
Hello friend, if it continues like that then you are not really living. You have not grown to understand the real meaning of life. Life is not a bed of roses, and it's not meant to be. In order to be successful and achieve your full potential, you have to push yourself and get out of that trap called the Comfort Zone.
A comfort zone is defined as a psychological state in which everything feels familiar to a person and they are at ease and in control of their environment. They experience low levels of anxiety and stress, life is really good and fair to them. Or so they thought. In this zone, there is always a steady level of performance. To improve this performance is almost impossible, because they are contented with the outcome.
Out of the comfort zone, we have the growth zone. This is where you improve in your abilities and capabilities. It is the exact opposite of the comfort zone. While the comfort zone makes it hard for people to discover themselves and reach greater heights, the growth zone highlights your strengths and grooms you to become a better version of yourself.
Get away from the trap
The comfort zone makes you feel safe, gives you a feeling of sufficiency and smooth life. But as the saying goes, smooth waters does not make a skilled sailor. The following are tips that will help you get out of the comfort zone.
Start doing things differently
Try to change how you do certain and simple things. For example, don't use your phone while eating or wake up earlier. These simple changes will start to configure your mind and thinking, thereby breaking you away from comfortable habits and setting you in the path to leaving behind the comfort zone.
Make plans and be realistic.
Because you are admonished to leave the comfort zone does not mean you should pack your bags one day and leave where you are with no destination in mind and nothing planned. No. If you want to change environment make plans ahead on how to survive at least. Don't strand yourself when it could be avoided.
It's okay to take small steps
It's actually okay to start small, as long as you are not stagnant. Like I mentioned earlier, make simple decisions that will set you on the path. Eat healthy, sleep early, work on some toxic traits you have. These changes will have a huge effect later on.
Learn new skills and be creative
Expand your professional skillset and improve them. Then you can make use of these skills creatively. For example build a business, write stories or poems, just anything creative. Gradually you will be conditioned to leave that comfort zone.
Challenge yourself and your beliefs
Challenge yourself to try new things, things that seems hard to you. Take on more responsibilities. Also ask yourself; Why do I stick to my beliefs? Is there a logical explanation? Is it the right thing? When you challenge your beliefs you find out why you have them, and also do away with the ones that you deem not logical.
I want to emphasize that consistency is the key. While practicing out these steps you might notice that you are falling back to the comfort zone every now and then. Don't worry, it is not abnormal. As long as you don't give up you will eventually beat the comfort zone.
If you realize within you that you are in the comfort zone, put into practice the steps listed out here. Do more research too. You have a lot of potentials in you, go out there and realize them.
All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone._ Tony Robbins
