By human nature we all develop something called a comfort zone. It can be in any area of our lives: sports, business, social settings and more. In sports it can be things such as not taking a shot that is one that you always miss. For me, it’s been taking a risk on bigger waves that I usually have wipe out on. In business it can be taking a big risk that could result in huge financial rewards, but also result in losses if it doesn’t work. In social settings it could be talking to an extremely attractive member of the opposite sex who is far more attractive than anybody else you have talked to. Falling into a comfort zone is a vicious trap because it is essentially embracing a limiting belief: “this is the highest level you are capable of.” To some level falling into a comfort zone is like settling for less than what you want. Ironically the level you are now at anything you do was also once out of your comfort zone. But, somewhere along the way you decided to plateau. Peak performance in anything is all about pushing past your comfort zone. So, how exactly do you break out of the dreaded comfort zone?
1. Visualization: Your current comfort zone is largely a byproduct of the pictures that you have made in your head. Given that your mind has no way of distinguishing between what is real and what is imagined, making a continuous picture of doing something you haven’t done before is a great way to break out of the comfort zone. As with any self improvement method, the key to effective visualization is commitment and consistency.
2. Affirmations: You can also affirm your way out of you comfort zone. Take whatever your current comfort zone is such as “I can only make shots that are 10 ft from the basket” and change it to “I can shoot the lights out from anywhere on the court.” Spend 21 days with the new affirmation as your mantra, and you will quickly break out of your comfort zone.
3. Just do It: In the words of Nike, JUST DO IT. As annoying as this might sound, this is probably one of the fastest most effective ways to break out of your comfort zone. Usually the point beyond your comfort zone is just fear of the unknown. As I said before your current comfort zone was also an unknown at one point. Once you’ve done whatever it is you have feared, it is no longer an unknown.
4. Use a Power question: One of the most common questions people ask themselves before they take a risk or push beyond their comfort zone is “What have you go to lose?” This is yet another one of those common misuses of the brain which would not occur if you had been given an instruction manual. The question you should ask yourself “What have you got to gain?” Let’s break down the answers to these two questions below. Since your brain is very literal in the way it answers questions you ask it, I think you’ll see the power in choosing the right questions:
What have got to loose?
Business: I might lose my money, I might lose my job, I might lose my respect of my employees/coworkers
Sports/Athletics: I might miss a shot, I might hurt myself, I might wipe out
Social Settings: I might lose my pride, I might lose my dignity, I might lose my chance with that girl/guy
The really stupid thing about that question is you fear losing something you don’t even have.
What have you got to gain?
Business: I could make a fortune, I could get a promotion, I could make history
Sports/Athletics: I could seriously improve my game. I could get a hell of a rush of catching a bigger wave, I could end up getting some recognition
Social Settings: I could gain a new friend, I could gain a new lover, I could gain more confidence, etc, etc.
As you’ll start to see if you read this article more than once, the comfort zone is something you have created and something you have the power to eliminate. It’s 95% imagined, and 5% unfamiliarity. How do you break past the comfort zone?
Tags: affirmations, visualization, power questions, comfort zone
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Great post and one that I really needed to read! I have a hard time breaking out of my comfort zone and I definitely need to work at it. Thanks for the advice. It’s really great!