Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. So many people are scared to even try to play the game simply because they are afraid of failing, even though failing is a natural part of life. Without failures, people wouldn’t know success. That means that you must experience failure to distinguish when you achieve success.
But it’s hard to do that when you’re in your comfort zone. You won’t have any challenges to overcome in that zone or any risks you need to face. You’re just there, existing in stagnation. If you want to grow, you need to come out of your comfort zone. And here are three ways you can do just that:
Try out a New Restaurant
Food is more than just sustenance; for many people, it’s also a way of life. The food you put into your body can speak volumes about your personality and how you live your life. For example, if you were to eat from the same fast-food chain every single day, that could mean that you work on a super strict schedule because, otherwise, you would have time to get an actual meal.
That or you must just really love fast food. While there’s nothing wrong with eating fast food every day besides the obvious health concerns, it can also make your taste buds grow weary from the same flavors. Don’t take this the wrong way, but fast food isn’t really all that appetizing apart from it being convenient.
If fast food is your comfort zone, then it’s time to drive away from your usual dinner spots. Instead of picking the same restaurants in Singapore that you always choose, you need to create a list of new places to eat. This list could contain anything from take-outs and diners to restaurants and food trucks. Just make sure you have yet to try them.
Take your taste buds on a wild adventure at least once or twice a week to break your routine. Not every place will be great, and some may even be downright disgusting. You may regret not going with your tried-and-tested orders a few times, but don’t let that stop you from ticking the boxes on your list. Hit or miss, trying out new food hubs will allow you to expand your palate and grow out of your comfort zone.
Show Initiative at Work
If you’re feeling stagnant at work or if you’re no longer seeing any growth opportunities, it might be time to create your own chances. For instance, the next time your superior looks for someone to lead a project, raise your hand to volunteer for the position, but only if you feel capable of the role.
Showing initiative at work is important, of course, but you should also learn how to gauge your own abilities. You should never take more than you can handle because that might not only cost you to compromise the quality of your work but negatively affect your reputation as a dependable worker.
Besides, volunteering to lead won’t be the only opportunity you have to show initiative. You can also be louder about your opinions if you know that your contribution to the table has value and can benefit your company. It’s time to stop second-guessing yourself before you even voice out your concerns.
At this point, your work routine is the comfort zone that you need to break out of. You need other tasks or projects at work that will disrupt your routine and keep you on your toes. By taking the opportunity to hone your skills and grow your potential, you’ll easily become an indispensable member of the company.
Explore Your Spontaneity
There are moments in life that you must simply allow to happen, with no plans or any calculated decisions, just pure spontaneity. Not everything is worth mulling over, especially when all you’ve done is plan your life down to the very last detail. While that kind of attention to detail is appreciated in professional settings, it’s just considered a killjoy in others.
So, for once, allow yourself to be spontaneous and see where the road takes you. Call in sick and go on a road trip with your friends without having to worry about work because you probably need the mental health day anyway. Or try out a new sport that doesn’t involve you staying in bed with your phone in hand.
Going out of your comfort zone can be frightening, but it’s the kind of fear that makes life more thrilling. If every single day of your life has already been planned out from the moment you were born up until your dying breath, then there will be no more room for excitement. What kind of life would that be?
Growing is a part of life. Sooner or later, you will have to go out of your comfort zone, and you won’t like it if people force you to follow in their footsteps. At least by choosing to gradually come out of your comfort zone and facing new challenges, you’ll be doing it at a pace that you’re comfortable with.
