Getting out of our comfort zone can be a very scary thing. Outside of our comfort zone is the unknown. Outside of our comfort zone is uncharted territory (for us anyway).
The trouble is, when we choose to stay in our comfort zone we are missing out on many opportunities.
Opportunities to grow.
Opportunities to be stretched.
Opportunities to make a difference in other people’s lives.
2 ways to get out of our comfort zone
1. We need to get over our “buts”.
There are always going to be a “buts” when we are deciding to get out of our comfort zone.
“But it is going to be scary.”
“But I have never done this before.”
“But I could fail.”
But, but, but …
We can’t allow our “buts” to stop us. We need to recognize that our “buts” are not the last word.
2. We need to get over our naysayers.
Just as there is always going to be a long list of “buts” there is almost always going to be naysayers as well. When you choose to get out of your comfort zone it is going to make other people feel uncomfortable. And because they feel uncomfortable they will make sure they give you all the reasons you shouldn’t do it.
They will say things like:
You aren’t qualified to do this.
What you are trying to do can’t be done.
Nobody has ever tried this before.
We can’t allow the naysayers to stop us. We need to ignore them and continue to move forward.
What have been some of your “buts” or what have the naysayers said to you when you have tried to get out of your comfort zone?
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Another inspirational post Kevin. I’d just like to add that every one of us has a comfort zone – yours may be in a different place than mine, but we all have them. If we didn’t we’d be dead! I’ve written plenty about how to expand comfort zones – I know the right steps. And still, right now I have butterflies in my stomach the size of fruit bats because I’m in the process of pushing the wall outward on my own comfort zone with a new project …
As we continue to expand our comfort zones we can get comfortable, so we need to expand again and again. It is an ongoing process.
Thanks for sharing Marty!
Sir Mix-a-Lot may not agree, but I hate big “buts” (and I cannot lie).
My biggest ones to overcome have been “but you’re too shy” or “that’s just not for you.” To deny what God placed inside me would have been to live a lie so I’m so thankful He calls AND equips with grace to complete what he starts. Thanks Kevin.
LOL! That’s awesome Jason!
Thanks for sharing!
Nice Jason!
My kids use that “But Moooom” Drawn out in a long whine. But I do that to God, “But Goooood.” I want to learn to say YES not but. Great post!
Amen Jennifer!
Thanks for sharing!
Probably another way to get past these Buts and Naysayers is to turn this thinking on it’s head. We can say to ourselves: I am going to do this Because…. (then give ourselves evidence of why we are able to do it), and we can find YeaSayers in our circle of positive and faith filled friends to cheer us along the way.
Great advice Steve! I love that!
Nobody can say “you can’t do this or that!”if your willingness is 100%. It’s YOU and ONLY YOU know how far can you go for your dream. Sometimes it is better to shield ourselves to all the negativities of life and of the people around us. Amazing article, thanks!
Thanks for sharing April!
You are so right about about this and I am so agree with you! This is one option to grow and learn new things outside your comfort zone. I am pretty sure you will be more independent and it will help you a lot in your life. Thanks Kevin for the wonderful and very informative post.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kevin,
Just this past Sunday night I was watching a webcast of a minister and mentor I listen to. God has done a great work through this ministers, ministry.
Sunday night he was giving his testimony of how God showed him that through mediation and seeing yourself as you wish to become, or some goal you wish to obtain,(seeing yourself as already having it),you can change your comfort zone.
If you want a new home, go visit homes like the one you want, imagine, mediate and see yourself in the new home before long, you will began to fill out of your comfort zone in your present home and you subconcious will began leading and finding ways to help you reach the goal of your new comfort level and thus your new home.
It seems that if we get above our comfort zone, our mind looks for ways to bring us back down to the level of our comfort, and if we are below a set comfort zone, our mind looks for ways to get us back above and on top.
Our God has created us with a powerful mind if we learn how to use it and yeild it to his grteat plans of success for us.
“It seems that if we get above our comfort zone, our mind looks for ways to bring us back down to the level of our comfort, and if we are below a set comfort zone, our mind looks for ways to get us back above and on top.”
This is so true! Thanks for sharing Willie!
Another great post Kevin!
I have managed to remove most of the naysayers from my life. It has been painful in some instances a reason for celebration in others.
Thanks for sharing Carla!
Kevin, there is not a day when I share a vision with someone and they make a statement that they would not be able to complete my vision. I explain the difference in sharing my vision did not include them or their abilities to accomplish it.
To many times others are unwilling to try anything that they would be required action. They would have to step up and take charge. They are uneven to be the one that others would rely on for daily action to accomplish each goal to gain that end result.
More people are not willing to change and get out of their comfort zones. Until it is a life and death situation. They wait for the last moment. An eviction notice. A car being reposes. Just about any life change event. That is the only time they are willing to get out and do something never accomplished.
Something will shake that pattern and then they will look back and always state. Man, I could have done this along time ago. It never fails.
Kevin, wonderful share and I love this blog. Good usable content and I look forward in my next visit.
Great thoughts William!
I can relate to the fact that it often takes a crisis to prompt me to step out of my comfort zone. I am learning to be more proactive in pushing myself before the crisis comes.
Thanks for sharing!
If we never do anything else in life, but do something in the end of our life we will have achieved far more than the vast majority of people could ever dare to dream.
Very true Andy!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kevin,
This is simple and right to the point, get over the “buts” and the naysayers when we are moving towards getting out of our comfort zone. We are creatures of habit and unfortunately would rather stay stuck in their comfort zone when there is much more the world offers if we go out and grab it. It is there for the asking, and most people simply stay in their zone, stay comfortable and much of time is not happy, or they are miserable! They would rather stay, and then make a move forward.
These two simple concepts will continuously keep people in their rut. You are fear driven when you follow your doubt and “but” thoughts. The same thing goes with listening to people who try to convince you that you cannot do something or make a move towards a new situation, job, move, relationship or whatever.
Thanks for these two significant thoughts.
Raena Lynn
Hi Raena Lynn:
Fear is definitely the main reason for not getting out of our comfort zones.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin
to make this blog short, JUST DO IT…. right?
Yep, that pretty much sums it up!
Thanks for sharing Ario!
I’m still overcoming some significant “buts”, coming from within myself. Generally it’s easier to ignore or remove the “naysayers” from my life. It’s a little trickier when the yaysayers turn into naysayers, as has been happening in my life in the past few months. But the answer is still the same. Ignore them or remove them from my life.
Willena Flewelling
Thanks for sharing Willena!
I really don’t pay attention to what people say, whether I do good or bad somebody will always find something negative to say so I’ve learn to just do my own do.
When you start making excuses and paying attention to what others are saying you lose focus and usually end up unhappy, personally I’m not with that nonsense!
Very true Dewane!
Thanks for sharing.
Getting past the buts will probably help get ones butt in gear.
Although the do call it a comfort zone for a reason when someone gets too comfortable not a whole lot gets done. I like many others share that zone. You can what if yourself to death but taking action is the only way to get results.
And if you fail well who care besides its bound to happen as none of us are perfect and besides without failure we wont know what our successes will be.
We will always learn more from our mistakes than our inaction!
Thanks for sharing CJ!
I’d add a third: Hang around people who are looking for your personal growth.
Great point!
Thanks for sharing!