Change Your Life In 2018 - May Challenge: Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

If you’re just joining in, the “Change Your Life In 2018” series is my quest to make some small changes this year.  Rather than setting easily forgotten resolutions I wanted to focus on 12 changes that would help me learn and grow as a person.  I’ve chosen to focus on one change per month so that it could not only become a more manageable goal, but I have a better chance at making these new habits as well.  I hope you’ll join me in the challenge!

“If it’s still in your mind, it is worth taking the risk.” ~ Paulo Coelho

This month's challenge is somewhat similar to last months in that it's time to shake things up.  As we discussed last month, if you want things to change in your life then you need to change.

They say that everything you're after is at the end of your comfort zone.  It seems this is true!  If you've ever really stuck your neck out on the line only to have things suddenly work in your favor, then you know that this is where the magic happens.  Pushing yourself to do what may seem uncomfortable or unnatural can be incredibly beneficial.



We are creatures of comfort.  We find joy in being able to anticipate what happens next.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, however, if you are able to break through that sense of comfort from time-to-time you can push yourself to do even better or to find something you've been searching for.  It can also make you more creative, help you use your time more efficiently, as well as provide more mental stimulation which is beneficial as we age.

Fear of failure is probably the largest obstacle we have in venturing out of our comfort zone.  What if it doesn't work out? we ask when contemplating taking a scary step.

Instead, ask yourself, what would happen if it did work out?

Our journey through life is full of obstacles and lessons.  Sometimes we'll trip, and other times we'll easily adjust, but we've got to learn to, at times, ignore our first response and push ourselves out of our comfort zones.  We've got to believe that we can succeed at whatever we are working toward.

“Those who believe they can move mountains, do. Those who believe they can’t, cannot. Belief triggers the power to do.” - David J Schwartz

Here are some steps you can take to break out of your comfort zone:

1. Question your first response.

     If your first response to something appears to be "what you would always do", this is the time to determine if there's growth in responding differently.  Be honest with yourself and keep an open mind.  Sometimes we mistake our gut reaction with a reaction that makes us more comfortable - start to try determining which you are actually feeling.

2. Identify how, if you responded differently, this could be beneficial.

     Again, take an honest look at responding differently and the potential benefits.

3.  See fear and failure as a lesson, not a result.

     If you are contemplating stepping out of your comfort zone but fear of failure is holding you back, why not risk succeeding or, if that doesn't happen, growth (rather than "failure")?

4.  Believe in yourself.

     If you believe you cannot do it, then you cannot do it.  If you truly believe that you can do it, then guess what?  You can do it!  That being said, make sure you are TRULY believing you can do it and make the commitment.  If you only tell yourself you believe but don't actually believe, your chance of success is minimal.  Be honest with yourself.

Have you pushed out of your comfort zone recently? 

Or, conversely, have you consciously not taken the opportunity to do so and, looking back, wish you had?

Next month’s topic is: Simplify Your Life

Find the introduction to the series here: 12 Things You Can Do To Change Your Life In 2018

Find January's challenge here:  Letting Go Of Regrets
Find February's challenge here: Figure Out What To Do With Your Life

Find March's challenge here: Setting Goals & Chunking Them Down

Find April's challenge here: Change Your Routine

Change Your Life In 2018 - May Challenge: Get Out Of Your Comfort Zonewas originally posted by My Favorite Chicken Blogs(benjamingardening)