Think back to a time you felt truly excited, happy, exhilarated and proud of yourself. Chances are, it was the result of accomplishing something new, trying something different, or pushing yourself outside of the boundaries you normally set for yourself. Big moments we remember fondly often started as something we were nervous about or even downright scared to do. But we did them — and afterwards we felt great about it.
Comfort zones are an important part of life. They keep us from partaking in reckless and self-destructive behavior. They create a safe environment for us to live our daily lives. Knowing the parameters of our comfort zone is valuable self-knowledge.
But sometimes, it’s valuable to step outside of that comfort zone. Why? Well, the science is simple. When we test ourselves, we step up to the challenge and do some pretty amazing stuff that we didn’t realize we were capable of. When feeling the right amount of anxiety about a situation, we respond by being more productive and creative.
If you’ve been in the same industry or leading the same company for some time, you likely have developed and honed a certain set of skills. That’s why many business owners and executives struggle with the concept of pivoting. Perhaps your business and revenues aren’t where you’d like them to be, or perhaps they are stagnating. Or maybe changing times has made your business model or concept less viable or profitable. Going in an entirely new direction could just be the best thing that ever happened to your company — or you.
Ultimately, the more often we intentionally push ourselves out of our comfort zone, the better we will be at handling difficult or unanticipated changes when they occur. In the same way, the more you leave your comfort zone, the easier it becomes to do so. That way, the next time you want to try something that’s scary, you’ll have an easier time mustering up the courage and leading others to do the same.
Learn more about how Rich in Thought consulting can help your business — and you — become more successful. Schedule a Meeting with me today.
