Stepping out of your comfort zone can certainly be challenging and even a little scary, but facing unfamiliar challenges can help you feel happier and more fulfilled in the long run. As you strive to take risks and try new things, you end up discovering a lot about yourself and your abilities. To help you get started on this transition, we've rounded up the best and most effective strategies to help you step out of your comfort zone, embark on new adventures, and expand your personal horizons.
This article introduces the last 9 strategies!
Be kind to yourself and stay motivated and energized. For example, whenever you do something outside of your comfort zone, buy yourself a small snack, take yourself out for a nice meal, or spend time doing other activities you enjoy. This will give you more motivation to try new things.
For example, every time you step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone new, you might reward yourself for reading a chapter from a book you enjoy.
Incorporate what you are familiar with in new situations. Look for small ways to adjust the situation and make it easier for yourself to accept. For example, if you're nervous about talking to a new friend, direct the conversation to a topic you're passionate about to make the conversation more interesting and engaging. Don't give up on the challenge altogether, but come up with ways to make it more manageable and less scary.
Remind yourself that it's okay to be imperfect for a while. The fear of failure keeps many people from stepping out of their comfort zone, but it's important to remember that making mistakes is what makes you who you are. At the end of the day, learning from your mistakes will ultimately make you better and grow. [12]
Instead of blaming yourself for doing something wrong, be sure to point out what you did well and praise yourself for what you accomplished, no matter how small.
Practice Xi positive self-talk to boost your confidence. If you keep telling yourself "I can't do it," it becomes more difficult to motivate yourself to go out and try new things. That's why it's important to turn negative thoughts into positive, uplifting ones. Tell yourself things like "I can do it", "I'm strong", "I'm fearless", etc., to give yourself courage and positive energy.
Using positive affirmations can help change your perception of your fears and your own abilities. If you believe you can do something, you'll be more motivated to try.
Having friends by your side can ease your discomfort. There's no reason why you can't rely on friends or family to help you get out of your comfort zone. For example, if you set a goal of hiking somewhere new every weekend, bring a friend along. It's more fun to get to the end of the trail with a buddy who can make you feel more at home in unfamiliar terrain.
Or, if you're nervous about speaking in public, practice Xi speaking in front of friends and family first.
Seek encouragement and a positive attitude from friends and family. Tell your closest friend, family, or partner what you want to do and why. They will most likely be more than happy to support you and cheer you on. Whenever you feel hesitant, just know that you have a whole team ready to celebrate your achievement.
Following an example can give you courage and confidence. Good role models can have a powerful impact on how you see yourself and the world around you. Think of a person or a celebrity in your life who embodies many of the qualities you want. For example, choose a role model who is fearless, outspoken, and honest. If you make an effort to emulate their positive behavior, it may be much easier to step out of your comfort zone.
Also consider your role model's worldview and values. Are these things you can think of?Do you think their perspective can help you get out of your comfort zone?
If you don't stay the course, you're going to suffer the consequences. If you find yourself hesitating, it may be helpful to establish some mechanisms to force you to take risks. For example, tell yourself that if you don't practice Xi your speech, you won't be able to see your favorite show. Bringing up some kind of consequence will help you avoid making excuses and postpone the things that scare you.
In addition to the tangible consequences, it may also be effective to consider what you might lose if you don't risk it.
For example, remind yourself that not applying for a new job means you won't get the raise you want or the opportunity to move to a new city.
Thinking about the worst-case scenario can help you stay realistic. Ask yourself "What's the worst that could happen?".Then think about what you can do if these situations happen. Forcing yourself to take a more objective view of your fears can help you put them in perspective, and you may find that nothing is more stressful than you initially thought.
If you're thinking about your own job, avoid answering your questions with unlikely likelihoods, such as "I might get fired." If you find yourself thinking about these things, go back and ask yourself how realistic these results actually are.
Let's say you want to go on an off-road road trip, but all you can think about is if you break down or run out of gas, you're in trouble. Make a plan for this, be prepared. For example, carry an extra fuel tank and a radio in order to get in touch with emergency services.