Where Is My Comfort Zone??

A ‘Comfort Zone‘ is described as a behavioural state within which a person operates, delivering a limited level of performance, usually void of any risk (White 2008).

But living outside your comfort zone doesn’t have to remain your permanent address.

How about living temporarily outside your comfort zone to see if it feels right and works well for you?  If yes, extend the time.  If not, then return to your comfort zone.

Imagine being able to buy a house, and live there for a while, then if you decide it’s not for you, returning to your previous home – no hassle, trouble-free.

Perhaps that’s how we should address living outside of our comfort zone, a temporary endeavour – The ‘try before you buy’ approach.

This way, you can experiment with different things, knowing you have your safety net.  

It might even encourage you to be more adventurous.

Breaking out of your comfort zone could be as temporary as once or twice a week, for a few hours or longer.  You could pre-plan for those times, filled with exciting new challenges designed to improve yourself and change your life.

It could mean networking with people online or in person regarding a new job, career, project, or hobby that has lived almost dormant at the back of your mind for ages.  Engaging in this way will lead to exciting new opportunities, but for some reason – you didn’t in the past.

Well, now you can.

Dipping your toes in and out of change is a more manageable approach for longer-lasting change and transformation.

It could be within your personal life only, your professional life, or both.  Do it often enough, and you may notice a transition.

The transition is that when you return to your ‘Comfort Zone’, your zone has altered slightly. Something new that you now do, or no longer tolerate.

Or you desire to live outside your comfort zone more often.

Your tolerance and comfort with uncertainty have changed, and you’ve noticed improvements in your life.

You have created a shift in your thoughts and actions from trying something new, and your ‘Comfort Zone’….is no longer missed!

Pair up with a trusted friend and support each other to encourage new activities.

Remember, you set the days, times, and duration, taking notes, and reviewing your experiences.

Journaling at this point is very helpful, so you can reflect and make better experiences.

Be the architect of your own life.  Design well and be happy!