Expand Your Comfort Zone

From a psychological standpoint, your comfort zone is an artificial mental boundary within which you maintain a sense of security and out of which you experience great discomfort. 

For the most part, your comfort zone is a reflection of your self-image and how you think and expect things should be. 

When you are in an uncomfortable situation or one that doesn't fit your expectations, you usually do whatever you can to make yourself comfortable again.

For many people, even if they are unhappy or unfulfilled, their natural inclination is to stay within their comfort zone simply because it is familiar and safe. Many remain in jobs, relationships, and situations that have lost their relevance only because they fear the unknown.

The truth is that security does not reside in anything outside of ourselves; instead, it lies within us.

Unfortunately, if you choose to remain in your comfort zone, you will never find out your true potential or what you can achieve. You can only succeed at something if you venture out of the comfort of your safety net.

If you decide to move beyond the circumstances, people, and experiences you are familiar with, you move out of your comfort zone and onto the path of personal development. It is a path that forces you to stretch, push your limits, and become more than you were.

Of course, if you have no inclination or desire for it, you don't have to do anything extraordinarily out of character, like climbing Mt. Everest or swimming the English Channel. Stretching yourself does not have to be that extreme.

Anyone who takes a new subject in school, learns a new language, takes up a new sport, or starts a new job initially operates out of their comfort zone.

If you ever want to achieve anything noteworthy or out of the ordinary, expanding your comfort zone is a must! 

Here are some other things you can do:

1. Break from a long-standing routine or habit and find a better way to do it.

2. If you're typically sedentary, take a break from reading or the computer and find a physical activity you can enjoy. If you're usually very active, learn to wind down, read, or relax.

3. Read a book, watch a movie, or listen to music in a genre you're unfamiliar with. If you usually read mysteries, try reading an inspiring biography; if you like action movies, try a romantic comedy; or if you just listen to rock, try some jazz music.

4. If you are shy and have trouble speaking in front of people, join a group like Toastmasters International. The group encourages you to speak in public using positive and helpful techniques. The more practice you get, the more comfortable you'll be and the better you will feel about yourself.

5. Go to an ethnic restaurant and try a dish from a different culture. It will stimulate your taste buds and open up a whole new cuisine.

6. Volunteer at the downtown mission or soup kitchen for a day and realize how comfortable your life is while helping someone simultaneously.

Benefits of expanding your comfort zone:

• Enhances your enjoyment and experience of life 

• Stimulates brain activity and, therefore, boosts your mental health 

• Increases self-confidence

• It makes you more resilient

• It helps prevent getting stuck in a rut or becoming depressed

• Challenges you to improve yourself

• Prevents atrophy

Stretching yourself and expanding your comfort zone is vital to personal development. Each step advances you to the next level and keeps you on the path of self-improvement.