Comfort Zone Secrets: Simple Steps to Courage and Boldness

 

A few weeks ago, my wife shared an exciting realization with me in regards to her work – She’s a nurse and works with a lot of babies with congenital heart defects, and sometimes they need to be operated on to fix the problem with their hearts. My wife is in charge of taking care of these poor kids after their surgeries. In some cases, these babies are kept for days with their chests propped open in case their heart stops beating and the doctors need direct access to restart it.   

To me, the practice of keeping a two-week-old baby’s internal organs exposed to the outside air for days at a time is nothing short of a miracle of medicine. To my wife, it’s a tedious, stressful, tension-filled day at work. Here’s the thing though – when we first started dating, she was new on the job and working with that type of patient was terrifying. However, after recently working a shift with an open chested baby she told me that now she can work confidently with those patients.

What changed?

Not the babies, or the care she was responsible for delivering – what changed was the size of her comfort zone. It took years for her to feel comfortable taking care of babies that sick, but now she can walk in confidently to situations that in the past caused her fear and anxiety. Her comfort zone has grown and now they feel like no big deal. The result is today she comes home happier, experiences less stress at work, and is being looked at for career advancement opportunities. 

You may not be a nurse, but your mission and goals in life will require you to consistently operate outside your comfort zone. This is a good thing and should be anticipated. Getting outside your comfort zone should be a critical part of your strategic plan because no one accomplished great things for themselves, their business or their family by doing only what came naturally to them. 

With that in mind let’s talk about how to get the courage to expand our comfort zones. If you’ve got an audacious goal to execute or dream in your heart unrealized this is what I would tell you if we were catching up for coffee.

 

1- Remember the cost of inaction

It is SO EASY to think of all bad things that could happen as your about to jump out of a plane to experience your first skydive freefall. It’s human nature to focus on risk and the negative consequences of our actions if we take the leap. Whether it’s jumping out of a plane, delivering a speech, or speaking up in a meeting – our brain is good at telling us the varied ways in which we could die or be socially ruined.

At these times when we’re about to step outside our comfort zone, it’s key to remember the consequences of inaction. These consequences effect your character, results, and legacy.

• Character: Remember that every choice to take action or to shy away from action effects our character and how we view ourselves. An opportunity turned down because of fear will reenforce our identify as someone who does not step up to the plate when opportunities arise.
• Results: If we don’t step outside our comfort zone, we will achieve our goals at a snail’s pace, or not achieve them at all. If you choose to take the easy road, remember that your dream or mission in life is being put on the backburner so you can indulge in fear.
• Legacy: Who do you want to be remembered as? What virtues do you want people speaking about during your eulogy? Our legacy is defined by the decisions we consistently make. What are the decisions are you repeatedly making and what do they say about you?

In moments when your courage is being tested, don’t just think of the bad things that could happen – remember the cost of inaction.

 

2- The people who matter are cheering you on

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Suess is “those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” This author of children’s books has something profound to teach us – the people who matter don’t really care WHAT you’re doing as much as they care HOW you’re doing. True friends and loved ones want you to be happy, healthy and whole. They want you to pursue your dreams, do the work you love and create the life you want. Wouldn’t you want the same for them?

If someone doesn’t care if you’re happy, healthy or whole and is negative towards you or your mission, throw their opinion away! Don’t let the Debbie-downers of the world define what steps you take to increase your comfort zone.

Of course, if someone who does care about you brings to your attention a flaw in your strategy, has constructive criticism for your benefit, or points out a situation where you’re compromising your values, DO listen to that. Don’t become blind to reality.

Just remember people doesn’t have to fully understand what you’re doing to be behind you. So, don’t resist going outside your comfort zone because you’re afraid of the opinions of others. The people who matter will cheer you on.

  

3- The world needs what you have to give

How many unwritten books, unreleased videos, and unspoken words of encouragement have accumulated in history? Too many! Don’t let your fear of going outside your comfort zone let you forget the impact you can have in this world.

You have dreams and a mission that will create good, manifest joy, and improve someone’s life. These are reasons enough to begin.

Consider this – doesn’t it seem downright silly to think of Martin Luther King Jr. never delivering his “I Have A Dream” speech because of stage fright? Or Elon Musk never releasing the original Model S because he doubted his ability to innovate in an industry that had been stagnant for decades? These icons are examples of people who overcame their fear, stepped outside their comfort zone, and made their mark on the world. Those acts of courage are now synonymous with who they are.

So what does the world need from you? What act of courage is your next step?

 

 

Decide and take action TODAY

It’s critically important that you lock in your decision while you’re in a state of boldness. Don’t let this moment of courage go without committing to growing your comfort zone. Your next step might be:

• Joining a club like Toastmasters or enrolling in a course
• Asking a friend or mentor for help with your goal/dream/mission 
• Finishing your business plan
• Asking someone out for a coffee
• Committing to something hard (and getting accountability so you can’t quit!)
• Successfully getting rejected just to prove you can handle it
• Texting a friend that you’re thinking about them

 

Whatever it is, I’m cheering you on my friend! Go conquer your fear and grow you comfort zone. Start today.

 

Until next time, stay awesome!

Joey