One element that contributes to stress – and indeed results in stress – is that point when you need to step out of your comfort zone.
You know exactly when you reach this point because that’s when the first fingers of panic start tickling your insides as if they’re reminding you “Hey, don’t do it! Don’t go out there, it’s not for us.”
You want to step out of your comfort zone because that’s where the fun is. That’s where your goal lies.
But you can’t reach it because if you step away too far from those fingers, they’re going to intensify their hold over you and you’re going to feel really, really bad.
In fact the thought of all that stress and anxiety makes you want to turn around now and get straight back into the snuggly safety of your comfort zone…. Even though that snuggly safety doesn’t satisfy you any more.
So what do you do?
You break it down and you teach those panicky fingers that they can stretch much further than their arthritic bones would have them believe.
You step out of your comfort zone a tiny bit – enough to alert the fingers that something is going on, but not so much that you’ll trigger their angry pull-back.
After a while, you’ll notice the fingers don’t tickle you at that point any more. You can go out a bit further, and this time you notice that your steps get bigger too. If you come across a comfort zone hidden inside another comfort zone, you simply repeat the process at this new place.
Your fingers are learning to stretch and you… well… you are steadily seeing your goals transform into achievements you’ve created with your own deserving hands.
Great post Reeta!
I have experienced exactly what you have written here. Learning how to break free from self-limiting comfort zones is (in my opinion) the master skill of success.
Thanks for a well-written reminder.
Hi Jim – Your comment makes me think how comfort zones are a life-long thing and how stretching ourselves through them keeps us curious and vibrant.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks, Reeta, there are things in my life that I am changing and I have come close to the edge of my comfort zone and stepped beyond and it was OK. However, I also find times when those moments of panic are a reminder that I am on overload and I need to rethink a yes that I gave an organization and re-prioritize my time. So I think that though we need to be willing to step out of our comfort zone and as Jim says, that can make us masters of success, we also may need to listen to the other moments.
Hi Reeta
I don’t think I understand what you mean by comfort zone, but I certainly know what the stress is like!
Can you give me an example?
Thanks!
Yael
Hi Julie – Yes, there are many messages coming from within us that we need to pay attention to and prioritise too. You’ve picked up nicely on the prioritisation aspects.
Thanks for commenting and best wishes with all the changes you’re making.
Hi Yael – good question!
A comfort zone describes that feeling you get when you feel safe, comfortable and easy about doing something.
For example, my friend John Doe works for a bank. It’s a high pressure job but has good perks. He is used to his role in the workplace.
John’s recently been offered an opportunity to start his own business. Although he is a very competent professional, he is scared and worried about how different his life will be in his own business. This fear is terrifying him and stopping him from exploring this opportunity.
His comfort zone is his current high pressure job. He knows his job and he’s used to it. Although he wants to try something new, his comfort zone is holding him too tightly, giving him excuses to not start his own business.
To expand his comfort zone so that having his own business is not so scary, research could be a good start. Talking to people, finding out some realities of what it is like to have a business.
This would help him think rationally about his opportunity so that any decision he makes comes from a place of strength and not a place of fear.
Does this help to answer your question Yael?
Hi Reeta – Thank you yes it does, it made it much clearer. Now I’m wondering how to apply it to myself, maybe the key is making small steps forward…right?
.-= Yael Brisker´s last blog .."זה בסדר,אבא, אף אחד לא מושלם =-.
Yes, small steps are great as they don’t overwhelm you AND they get the job done. Remember to take them often and regularly because that stretches your comfort zone faster with a lot less stress.
Good luck!