You may not realise it but everyone has a comfort zone… it’s a place or situation where you feel safe or at ease. Although many people like staying in their comfort zone, it can be a negative in the workplace as you might miss out on new challenges and the ability to grow.
When you’re in your comfort zone your brain doesn’t want anything to change, this is because you have no stress and your needs are met. Getting out of this can be hard for people as they normally expect the worst-case scenarios. Although if you don’t then you won’t know what you’re capable of!
If you feel as though you might have gotten yourself into a work rut, here are some tips on stepping out of your comfort zone in the workplace:
Try a new assignment:
Is there a piece of equipment or software that you don’t know much about? Are there tasks that you delegate as you’re not confident to complete them yourself? If you want to improve this then spend extra time learning about the equipment or how to master the tasks. After you have done this it will not only give you confidence, but it will also make you stand out more to your work colleagues.
Get help from others:
You might not realise it but getting support from others is a great way to encourage you out of your comfort zone. This may be friends or family, or it could be people who have already achieved what you are working towards! Ask them ‘How did they do it?’ and take tips from what they say.
Volunteer for projects:
In the workplace, sometimes your boss might need someone to help with a specific project. Do you often lower your head and look away? Instead, raise your hand and offer to help. Not only will this improve your confidence, it will expand your skills and teach you something new. Although it might not sound like a lot, but sometimes just saying ‘yes’ is one of the best ways to stepping out of your comfort zone.
Have faith and belief:
One of the best ways to push yourself out of your comfort zone is by having self-confidence and faith. Trust that if you work hard then it will pay off in some way or another. Not everything will always go smoothly, but as long as you continue to push through then it will bring you one step closer to success.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary and fear can hold you back, however you can take several small steps from the tips above and remember… ‘Great things never came from comfort zones’.