Challenge Yourself Right Out Of Your Comfort Zone

What would you do if you weren’t scared?

I have learned that a goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot. I have addressed the fear that comes with setting goals by sending a strong message to my subconscious that says, “It is worth the risk.” This message has allowed me to achieve goals that would have previously been out of my comfort zone.

In the past year, I have started a blog, accepted offers to write for several publications, attended a blogging conference, accepted a job to work as a public relations director for a friend’s new startup, and signed up for three months of acting/improv classes.

As I list all of these things, I can’t help but laugh and think, “Who has taken Kirsten hostage and where is she hiding?” I am trying to practice what I preach by asking myself if these new ventures both excite and scare me at the same time? If the answer is yes, I should probably go for it. ✨

What is the definition of a comfort zone? All aspects of your life which are familiar to you. You see most of us go through life playing it safe, never growing, never expanding into our full potential. Ask yourself a few simple questions. Where does your comfort zone hold you back? What input is that having on your life as a whole? Is this sense of fear/discomfort real or is it a comfort zone issue? Don’t let your comfort zone hold you back from your dreams. Why? Because it’s just not worth the regret in the end.

The comfort zone is our worst enemy when it comes to fulfilling our dreams and becoming who we want to be. I would describe it as being caged; not able to breathe or escape. Isn’t it funny that it’s called the ‘Comfort Zone,’ because the last thing you feel is comfortable. Staying in your comfort zone is not exciting, it is not thrilling, it is actually boring.

Setting goals takes us out of our comfort zone and forces us to confront the fears that exist in our own minds. Goals make the comfort zone unCOMFORTable but it is in that place where we face our fears that true growth occurs. Just say ‘No’ to fear.🚫

The comfort zone has no real benefits for us, only drawbacks. So why the heck do we stay in it? Here comes the confetti 🎉…below are a few Confetti Strategies that helped me to realize why getting out of the comfort zone was so vital.

🎉To Change Your Self Image:

Take action, take the reins, take charge, just take control of something! When you consciously decide to do something outside your comfort zone, it will give you confidence, increase your mood, make you proud of yourself, and make you stronger.

🎉To Understand That It’s Okay To Fail:

Trying your best is what matters. Stepping out of your comfort zone and failing is a good thing because you have just proved to yourself how strong you were to even try in the first place. Start small, always take baby steps, break down a goal or task because that is how you gain momentum and we were all made to grow and go. These new experiences will not always feel great…they may be unpleasant, but they will have an impact on your personal growth.

🎉To Boost Your Confidence:

Your inner presence and self-being are like muscles; you need to exercise them to maintain strength. Doing new things, taking on new challenges and stepping outside of your comfort zone are some of the best ways to build your confidence. Remember being a kid? We thought we were invincible…ready to take on anything…why?

Because we had not yet learned self-doubt. But as we move through adolescent years we start to realize that some of our classmates are better in math, they are sportier, funnier, more popular…the list goes on. So here we are entering adulthood and our confidence has already taken several hard hits.

It’s no wonder we fill ourselves with fear and anxiety when we think of trying new things outside of our comfort zone. Bottom line, if you don’t change anything, nothing changes. So challenge yourself and with confidence send that strong message to your subconscious that says, “I am worth the risk.”

If the comfort zone could speak, I hear it saying something like “don’t take another step around that corner because something terrible will jump out at you.” Even things like “if you open that door you will be dragged down into a dark basement and die a horrible death.” But will anything like this happen?

No… because fear is something we mostly make up in our minds. Once you put a spotlight on them, there is really nothing to be afraid of. I have found that as soon as you commit yourself to get outside of your comfort zone, fear steps aside and makes way for fun and excitement (just like what happened to me in my improv class last week).🙌🏻🌟

What have fears stopped you from doing or achieving? Fears have stopped me in some instances from traveling in the U.S and abroad, public speaking, riding rollercoasters, sky diving, and being in crowds.🤦‍♀️ So do something that scares you a bit because it will help break the habit. It will help you seek new opportunities. This will help you get the right motivation to take a step further and further and then wella…you stepped yourself right out of your comfort zone.

“Comfort is the enemy of progress.” ~The Greatest Showman