One of my big initiatives this year is to get out of my comfort zone. Trying new things, doing things that I have wanted to do, but didn’t dare. Looking to get out of my comfort zone causes me to think big and prompts me to get past fear. I am talking a big subject here, but wanting to keep it simple.
Are you wondering where to start with this mission Exit Your Comfort Zone? You may be the person who takes small steps, inching your way forward. Or you may be the person who takes a big leap. Both are right- just know yourself and do what works to get you taking action.
Here’s a way to get yourself going:
**Look at each one of your goals for the year- write down what the expanded version of that would be. Just expand each one of them- your exercise in thinking bigger- you don’t need to know how it will happen, just write it all down. Now pick one of your goals. What one step could you take toward that goal- big or small- that makes you uncomfortable in the next 24-48 hours? Decide on when you will do it and put it into your schedule. Once you have taken that step, schedule the next. Continue to take one step and then the next and you will build momentum.**
I recommend accountability- of course I do!, I am a coach!- so find yourself someone to tell who will support you. Someone who knows what you said you were going to do who will then ask you about it. That is one of the reasons I love coaching so much! Accountability is a crucial piece of the coaching process. When we have goals and aspirations and no one knows but us, when we don’t follow through, it’s no big deal. With accountability, you are much much more likely to follow through on what you said you were going to do.
Like me (and my clients), you may feel nervous in the time before you take that uncomfortable step. Building up to the start of the year I was feeling quite a bit anxious- I was thinking about doing some things in 2020 that I have been thinking about for years. Thinking about them put me right out of my comfort zone and what I have noticed is that most of my discomfort came BEFORE making the decision to take the steps. Once I made the decisions I had been thinking about, I felt peaceful and then excited!
And once I actually took the steps, I felt great! We need to learn to trust in our ideas and intuitions. I believe we don’t have these ideas for nothing. Trust yourself in 2020. Why not do it now? Take advantage of a big year like 2020- the start of a year, start of the 20’s, 2020 vision, roaring 20’s- why not make the most of it? There has never been a better time. And stretching yourself brings invaluable personal and professional growth that will impact you positively in all areas of your life.
Lastly, no matter what, don’t give up! Getting off track is normal. Staying off track is normal, too. When you get off track- as we humans all do, recognize it and do what you can do to get back on track as soon as possible. Staying off track and beating yourself up is the only wrong answer. Every week recognize what you have done well, learn from what didn’t go so well and make a new plan to move forward. You CAN do it! Make this YOUR year and YOUR decade!
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