How to Easily Expand Your Comfort Zone

How to Easily Expand Your Comfort Zone

I was 25 with my first panic/Anxiety attack. best thing that ever happened to me. And please know that I KNOW that is not everyone's experience. I just happen to be 48 now and been through three major confrontations with it. What I learned is that moving out of my comfort zone as much as possible helps me be stronger.

Just like going to the gym. The more I exercise the lack of comfort the more I can lift against it and work with it at the same time. Now this is just me talking. I am not qualified in anyway as a counselor or expert other than I live with it...that is Living outside my comfort zone. 

What if I told you I'd give you $1,000 to make an important public speech? Would you take the offer? Like most of us, you probably recoiled immediately at the idea, even though it could be lucrative for you! Why didn’t this idea appeal to you?

When the very thought of certain activities evokes fear or anxiety within you, it's because they're outside your comfort zone. Public speaking, for example, is outside most people's comfort zone.

Your comfort zone is the sphere of activities that you feel comfortable with and that you can accomplish without negative emotions. It also includes people, places, and things that cause only positive thoughts within you.

How Important is Your Comfort Zone?

Your comfort zone can limit your capabilities and cause you to forsake your dreams and goals, or it can spur you on to great things. In fact, your comfort zone can determine both your personality and your potential for success.

Many successful people achieve their goals because they have the ability to expand their comfort zone in order to get what they want.

If you wish to expand your comfort zone, you can mentally condition yourself to be comfortable in new situations so you can overcome your anxiety, achieve your goals, and fulfill your dreams.

Here are some tips you can use to expand your comfort zone and help fight your anxiety about certain situations:

1. Understand your mindset. Mental conditioning plays a large role in developing your comfort zone. This means that how we form our comfort zones begins in our own mind. Just like I mentioned.... think about it like conditioning or going to the gym for your mind. 

Each of us already has preconceived notions of what may be comfortable and what may not be, and we designate mental guidelines to keep us within our comfort zone. I was in the grocery store tonight and just looking at how comfortable people looked. I was almost saddened by it. But that is my judgement and that is not good.

You have chosen your own comfort zone boundaries! YOU ARE YOUR OWN CEO.  Knowing your boundaries is the first step to being able to expand them.

2. Disobey some of your self-imposed rules. If you want to expand your comfort zone, you must let yourself loose from the guidelines you impose on yourself. Breaking some of these rules will allow you to seek new experiences that can bring you greater success!

3. Consider the true risk of a situation. It’s important to know what the true risks are, as opposed to what you feel (or fear) may occur. Knowing the difference can enable you to overcome your limitations. I have learned to stop looking too much ahead and leaning more on the past. The past shows me I will get through. And for a good reason. 

4. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort level. Many times, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to boundaries and limitations. There are times when you’ll have to push yourself to get where you want to be. In these instances, you must meet the challenge to leave your comfort zone.

When stepping outside your comfort zone brings you success, you’ll find that the benefits are well worth the effort!

Whenever you try something for the first time, you’re bound to be a little uncomfortable. We’re all conditioned to fight change and stay in our comfort zones. You may have to remind yourself that only you can push yourself to step outside the box.

Be patient, be aware of your self-imposed limitations, and try things in small steps at a time. This way your comfort zone will expand at a gradual, comfortable pace, and your fears and anxieties will subside as you gain positive experiences.

Keep your VISION in sight! LOL. Expanding your comfort zone may be all it takes to achieve your goals and live the life you dream of.

Side note: If you do not have a personal vision statement to guide you. Now is the time.