If you’re like me and most other people, you innately value comfortability over uncomfortability. It’s common to want to live in a safe zone because, well, that’s where we’re most safe. However, life begins outside your comfort zone, which is why it’s crucial to learn how to get outside your comfort zone. Not only will this improve your life exponentially, but it will allow you to seize more opportunities that guide you to becoming the person you were always meant to be.
In this article, we’ll do a deep dive on one of the pillars of self-discovery—comfort zones—which I developed to help you discover yourself and infuse your life with purpose. And if you want to go a step further, get a copy of my book, You Deserve This Sh!t.
Purchase your copy or download chapter one for free below.
Here are seven easy ways you can get outside your comfort zone today.
1. Break Your Normal Routine
I’m a big believer in having a routine, but at the same time, I’m a big believer in breaking that routine every so often. Don’t service your routine, let your routine service you, meaning be in control and break it when you need to. Getting a routine can help create flow within our lives; however, it can also make us overly comfortable and plateau in our self-growth.
If you’re looking for an easy way to get outside of your comfort zone, say no to your normal routine. Say no to doing the same thing every day over and over. Shake your day up and introduce some kind of newness. This will help you grow as an individual by offering new challenges to overcome and learn from.
2. Learn Something New That Interests You
One of the easiest ways to live outside your comfort zone is to try something new. However, make sure you choose something that interests you so you can be invested in the challenge. For example, if you hate sewing, don’t challenge yourself with sewing, it won’t do any good for you. But if you’ve always thought about trying out meditation or journaling but have yet to do so, dive in. You may just find a new passion or anchor in your life that you never knew existed.
Whatever you choose to learn, always remember to only chase what interests you, as it will set you up for more success in your journey of self-discovery.
3. Face Your Fears
Fears are easy to run from; I think we can all agree on that. However, that doesn’t mean you should always turn away from them. If your ultimate goal is to get outside of your comfort one, you just found one of the best ways to do that. Identify what scares you in life, whether that be learning a certain skill or even heights, and face it. Step outside your comfort zone, stand tall, and approach that fear with confidence.
Your fears only exist in your mind. And if you’re willing to develop a mindset that overcomes those fears easily, you’re well on your to living your best life.
4. Go On a Solo Expedition
Now, I’ve done a great work on discovering who I am, and it all started in 2016 when I decided to go on a three-month solo backpacking trip across Europe. Not only did this immediately take me outside my comfort zone, but it also made me face fears, learn more about myself, and challenge me to become a better person.
I’m not saying you need to drop everything you’re doing and isolate yourself. Instead, look to do something small to start. Have a weekend to yourself, go on a local trip alone, or, if you’re really up for a big adventure, rent an Airbnb for an extended period of time away from your network of friends.
5. Take One Step at a Time, Not 10
Getting outside your comfort zone doesn’t require big leaps. Instead, take one step at a time, not 10. As the compound effect states, small repeated actions compound to greater results over time. Take this and apply it to getting outside your comfort zone. Start small and work your way up to doing more and more outside your comfort zone. As you live this way more often, you’ll become increasingly more open to choosing things beyond the borders of your safe zone.
6. Accept a Challenge That Presents a Potential Failure
Failure is a tough part of life; however, it can actually benefit you and help you grow. If you want to get out of your comfort zone, accept a challenge that presents a potential failure. Yes, you heard me right. I said do something that will likely make you fail. Why? Because failure can be your teacher. Failure will show you what you need to learn to level up and grow as an individual.
It’s easy to fear failure because it makes you shrivel up and retreat to your safe zone. But if you can consciously make a mindset and perspective shift around failure, it can completely change your life and propel you on your journey.
7. Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
You may have heard this before, but I’m going to tell you again (because it’s that crucial): You must learn how to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. In other words, embrace life outside your comfort zone and start training your mind that it’s where you’d rather live. If you truly want to grow and discover yourself, you’ll have to exist in a place of uncomfortability.
At the end of the day, chasing any goal will put you in an uncomfortable situation. So the sooner you become comfortable with being uncomfortable, the sooner you’ll step into your power and become the best version of yourself.
Reasons You Should Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
- Propels you on your journey of self-discovery: Living outside your comfort zone is no doubt the best approach to discovering yourself. It will push you to learn more about yourself, require you to grow, and infuse your life with purpose. Get ready to take control of your self-discovery and restore any lost vitality.
- Puts you in the driver seat of your on life: When you live within your safe zone, life goes by in front of you and you serve your own life. When you get out of your comfort zone, you give yourself the keys to drive your life to the exact destination you want to go. Your life will begin to serve you, and that’s the way we like it.
- Infuses your life with confidence: Now, I’m not going to lie, getting out of your comfort zone isn’t an easy feat. However, when you gather the courage to do so, you will feel a rush of confidence like never before. You will feel like you can take on anything in the world, and science shows this. It’s a damn good feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does it mean to get out of your comfort zone?
Getting out of your comfort zone simply means living in a place of unfamiliarity—not in your safe zone. Choosing a life out of your comfort zone will strip you of everything you know and that protects you, in the best way possible. It may look different for each person, but some common ways to get out of your comfort zone include learning something new, facing a fear, and accepting a challenge.
Why is getting out of your comfort zone so good?
Getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to propel you on your journey of self-discovery and personal development. When you live within our comfort zones, you will never have anything better than you have now. Improving your life and leveling up requires you to face challenges and overcome those challenges.
What's wrong with staying in your comfort zone?
If you choose to stay in your comfort zone, your life will remain at a plateau forever (I hate to break it). I’ve seen it first hand with people I’ve worked with. Life becomes stale, people around you keep progressing (therefore leaving you behind), and your foot stays off the gas pedal to your personal growth.
Bottom Line
Comfort zones are the areas of your life that make you feel safe and protected. However, living in those areas will always keep you the same. If you want to step into your power and make this life yours, getting out of your comfort zone is one of the best investments you can make. Take some time to look for things you can do in your life to make this step in your journey.
