Why it's important to step outside your comfort zone

Being put in a position where you have to step outside of your comfort zone and engage in new activities is challenging. Doing something new can bring up a lot of emotions, such as anxiety, excitement, and doubt. Your mind creates a whirlwind of questions: What happens if something goes wrong? What if I embarrass myself? What if I fail? How do I get the confidence to conquer this situation?  While we can dwell on all the negative things that could happen in any situation, pushing through it will only show us what happens. You end up having a better time at that function you were dreading. Or, you embarrass yourself in front of some new friends you made. It’s natural to feel some anxiety or nervousness when engaging in new things, but the feeling won’t last forever, and you’ll grow as a person the more you push your limits. 

Engaging in uncomfortable situations builds confidence, leading to success in future circumstances. You might not think of yourself as an anxious person, but then you find yourself biting your nails, playing with your hair, or bouncing your leg. The nervous ticks everyone gets when they’re doing something for the first time aren’t uncommon, but how you overcome them will make them go away. 

An excellent way to get better at things you don’t enjoy is by doing them frequently until you do them without second-guessing them. For instance, if you have always wanted to take yourself out on a lunch date and eat by yourself at your favorite restaurant, but the thought of people thinking you don’t have friends or looking at you weirdly stops you from going, take small steps until it’s something you look forward to doing. You can start by going to a coffee or frozen yogurt shop, a natural place for people to go and spend time alone. Then, take it a step further and go to a cocktail bar during the week when it’s not crowded with people to enjoy one drink at the bar and talk to the bartenders or take a book to read. Swap the cocktail bar for the beach, a park, or a museum. 

After you feel at ease doing those things, go to a restaurant or engage in an activity you’ve been thinking about and enjoy your company. The first couple of times will still be nerve-wracking, but not as much as if you were doing it without a warm-up. You’ll feel a bit of adrenaline after doing something that scared you, and you’ll find yourself doing it more often without overthinking it. 

When you accomplish doing something new, celebrate it. Small wins are still monumental moments. Take the time to be proud of yourself for overcoming something you thought you’d never be able to do. Share your successes with close friends. You never know who else might need a push to do something out of their tight-knit boundaries. 

Taking minor steps will lead to bigger things, such as asking for a raise, quitting your job, starting a new hobby, or ending unhealthy relationships. No one enjoys doing uncomfortable things, but they are what make people grow the most. 

Monthly Challenge

Do 1-2 things to make you step outside your comfort zone this month. 

Document your journey by taking photos for you to look back on, or write down how you felt about doing something you wouldn’t normally do.