There will come a time when you will find the perfect spot for yourself. It is a place where fears are prohibited. It is a spot where you can silently observe the people around you and how they go about their lives. It is your comfort zone. It may be comfortable, but it can be dangerous, too! Getting stuck in this place keeps you from growing. It makes you complacent, and it is something that you will not want to happen, especially if you have goals in life. Stepping out of your comfort zone is not a business that you may not want to pursue, given the benefits that it has. But it is a must if you want to go somewhere.
The first progress that you will make is your decision to step out of your comfort zone. It is a hard decision at first, but this conviction says a lot about you. From there, you may feel afraid to venture into new territories. But fear is a natural feeling and response. Before you go at it, you have to have a plan. If you want to take some baby steps, there are things that you need to keep in mind:
Know what you want and arm yourself with knowledge
You want something to happen in your life, but you are too cozy in the zone you are in. And you are afraid. But it is important to know where the fear is coming from. Normally, people are afraid because the new venture is unknown territory. What you should do is come up with a plan that will help you in pursuing your goals outside your bubble. You have to have a solid plan. Plans A and B and even C will suffice. If you do not have goals yet, now is the right time to create some
Try something new every day
If you want to practice moving out of your comfort zone, you have to try something new every day. When you constantly do it, facing the unknown may seem like your second nature. For one, if you order a particular dish in a restaurant every time you go there, maybe you would like to turn things around by trying something unorthodox. If you are used to watching movies or drinking with friends every weekend, why not challenge yourselves by going on a ghost tour in Charleston? Breaking your seemingly simple routines makes you flexible and ready for adaptation.
Be realistic and optimistic at the same time
This may sound like an oxymoron, but it is possible. What this means is that you ought to be realistic about your plans and goals. But you should counterbalance your realism with optimism, as optimism is what keeps you looking forward to meeting the future.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a big step that you will make, especially if you have been here for too long. There’s no shame in stepping out late. At least, you have had the courage to do it. The decision to move forward by stepping out of the place you are comfortable with is already a progress in itself.