The thought of the unknown scares us; so many people stay where they are because they know. They know what they can expect, they know what’s going to happen and they are just comfortable. Does this sound at all familiar? Do you have goals that you get really excited about but that’s as far as it goes? Because it all seems too scary to leave the comfort of what you know, even if you’re not feeling fulfilled.
More often than not this is where you are, you are stuck in your comfort zone. In this blog I have put together a few different answers to some of the many thoughts and questions that may be running through your head.
I don’t enjoy my job, but I don’t want to quit
You are not alone, there are so many people who are stuck in this bubble. You know you have that security there and that there is money coming in, but you’re not fulfilled, you’re not the happiest you could be. But, taking the plunge and looking into a job that is your passion and something you enjoy may give you the rush you need to take the risk.
If that is still something that seems completely outrageous and risky, you could always start small. You don’t need to jeopardise your current situation, you can use it to help you fuel a side hustle. This will not only help you fund any business you may be starting but it lets you test the waters, giving you that little glimmer of what you could be doing if you choose to take that first step outside of your comfort zone.
I’m not fulfilling my purpose
You wake up and you’re not feeling like you are doing what you should be, whether this be in the workplace or at home. Ask yourself: What can I do to feel complete?
There are a few different ways that you can fulfil this “void.” You can find volunteer roles that will help to give you an idea of what you may be missing, that could always lead to more permanent paid roles for the right people. Or, you may want to retrace your steps back to an old hobby that you “couldn’t find the time for”.
Taking back that bit of control does not need to be a big step, but even the smallest progress in the right direction is still progress.
I have all these hopes and dreams but thats all they are
So, you have some big ideas for yourself but you just think that there is no way anything would happen. But why not? The key thing to do is plan your steps out, you can’t expect to get there overnight. What can you do today to help you get that little bit closer tomorrow? All it takes is that first step to help you get closer to reaching your goals and aspirations.
It’s all starting to feel a bit like groundhog day
Does it seem like all the days are merging into one, and the days are just repeating over and over again? Yes, of course some people need routine to help them feel secure and keep to their commitments, but when you fall into a routine just because, sometimes it can all feel a little bit, well, boring. If you are overly committed to your current routine and keep saying no to opportunities that would cause you to step away from this, you may be saying no to new opportunities that can give you that feeling of being fulfilled and revitalised.
This would be a great time to take a step back and have a look at your routine as a whole. Having a look to see if there are some areas you could change or break to help you step out of this comfort zone that you are so regimented into.
I can’t do this, I can’t do that
Looking back you may have been given a window for success, which you turned down because you didn’t believe in yourself and felt that there was no way you could do it. This may be because you felt you were not prepared enough or you just were not confident in your abilities.
You are much more capable than you think. How do you think you learnt to walk? You stepped outside of your comfort zone and just kept on stepping. It’s okay if there is still stuff out there that you need to learn, it’s all part of how we develop, we are only human after all.
Finding where the magic happens
It is never too late to take the leap and leave your comfort zone, reflect on your life and the different possibilities that are out there that will help you find the path towards action and break free from your same old routine.
Why not start now? Find a journal and a pen and write down one goal you have. Then, write below it 3 steps you can take that will help you in reaching that goal. Let this be the first of many steps that you take to help you move away from your comfort zone and find the place where the magic happens for you.