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Don't Park in the Comfort
Zone!
by Gary Lockwood, Business
Coach
Mar. 9, 2002
Most of us have, in our house,
a thermostat that regulates the temperature. When it gets a bit
too warm, the air conditioning kicks on to bring the temperature
down to an acceptable range. When the temperature drops below
a comfortable point, the heater comes on to bring the room temperature
up to a more comfortable level. The "comfort zone"
is the range of temperature that is not too hot and not too cold;
just comfortable.
Our personal comfort zone is
where we are comfortable in what we are doing in our jobs, our
lives, our experiences. It is when we have no feelings of risk
or anxiety. Some call it being comfortable. Some would call it
a rut.
Each of us has our own personal
comfort zone. We have built-in thermostats that regulate our
level of anxiety, fear, discomfort. In the areas of our knowledge,
skills, habits and attitude, when we step outside our normal,
existing boundaries, we begin to feel a bit anxious. Our natural
tendency is to pull back.
Try this: fold your arms. Now,
fold them the other way. How did that make you feel? Felt a bit
unnatural, didn't it? That's why we usually stay within our comfort
zone. When we try something new, we often feel uneasy about it,
and frequently pull back. The security feels good.
The downside of all this is
that always staying in our comfort zone can be very limiting.
The world passes us by as we stagnate. Complacency, in our fast-paced
competitive world, can be fatal to business and severely limit
personal and professional growth. If we are not learning, trying
new things and growing, our jobs and businesses may be deteriorating.
How do we step out of the comfort
zone? Before you just throw all caution to the wind, try some
simple things. Drive home a different route. Shop at a different
grocery store. Order something from the menu that you've never
tried before. Sleep on the other side of the bed.
Make a conscious effort to
experiment. Let yourself feel the adrenaline level rise a bit.
Allow your anxiety level to increase. Feel your heart rate and
breathing going faster. The adrenaline is your body's natural
drug that, in moderation, makes you sharp, creative, and quick.
It creates the feeling of excitement and exhilaration that comes
from trying something new. Recognize that it also can be scary
and stressful. Some stress is useful. Too much can be harmful.
Some stress provides energy. Too much stress causes distress
and can lead to burnout if done to extreme.
Why would we want to give ourselves
the stress of stepping outside the comfort zone? Because that's
where growth takes place. Just like a muscle gets stronger when
we exercise it outside its normal range of use, we get stronger
when we get out of our rut. And just like our muscles, once we
stretch beyond our current capabilities, we don't ever go back
to our original dimensions.
As we try new things, we gain
confidence. Confidence makes us feel powerful and good. And when
we are confident that we can survive new ideas, we allow ourselves
to try even more new things.
What's the limit? Obviously,
we need to be realistic in our risk management. The most successful
people think through the possible outcomes of taking a risk.
Then they prepare for how they would deal with each. Successful
people take risks, but they are not foolhardy or stupid.
What are some higher level
activities that could add to your personal and professional growth?
Here's my challenge to you. Make a list of 50 things that, if
you really were successful in doing them, you would be a better
person or a better company. Things like give a speech (oh no!),
write and publish an article, start an exercise program, meditate
daily, teach a class, feed a homeless person, volunteer, climb
a mountain, learn to play a new musical instrument, sign up for
a dance class, try for that promotion, and so on.
Then, from your list, choose
one or two that you are willing to do within the next 90 days.
Schedule those one or two new activities, then go for it. Afterward,
choose one or two more and do it again. Make personal and professional
growth a lifelong habit.
Don't stay parked in the comfort
zone.
Copyright © 2002, by
Gary Lockwood, http://www.BizSuccess.com
All rights reserved.
Gary Lockwood is Increasing
the Effectiveness and Enhancing the Lives of CEOs, business owners
and professionals. Get the CEO Success Report at http://www.CEOSuccess.com.
Get the Free BizSuccess newsletter at http://www.bizsuccess.com/newsletter.htm
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