How To Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
1. Allocate And Innovate!
Allocate some time (few hours a week) for trying something new because you can do something fun, something bold, and perhaps you might realize those things are more effective than what you're doing already
Thanks to: Danny Wong of Custom Dress Shirts | BL.
2. Hire A "Paid Pain In The Butt"
Business owners are their own boss. We hold others accountable - but who holds us?
A powerful strategy is to hire a business coach who holds you accountable to your goals (& help you sort them out). I got so much out of working with a coach, I became one!
A related strategy: join a business owner peer group; 8-12 fellow business owners who meet in-person or virtually and work on each others' businesses. The atmosphere is collegial, but we make sure to hold each other accountable. It works!
A powerful strategy is to hire a business coach who holds you accountable to your goals (& help you sort them out). I got so much out of working with a coach, I became one!
A related strategy: join a business owner peer group; 8-12 fellow business owners who meet in-person or virtually and work on each others' businesses. The atmosphere is collegial, but we make sure to hold each other accountable. It works!
Thanks to: Henri Schauffler of Marketing With Henri Dot Com.
3. Laugh Your Way To First!
Positive emotions allow us to think outside the box, behave in new ways and be more creative and innovative. One of the best ways to get out of your comfort zone is get into in a positive emotional state by spending 20 min. in nature, exercising, watching a funny video clip. Right after, take small steps out of comfort zone. Be easy on yourself when you fall short. Cultivate courage (act in spite of fear). Praise self for small steps in right direction!
Thanks to: John Schinnerer Ph.D. of Guide To Self, Inc..
4. "What If?" For Good, Not Evil
"What if I fail?" "What if it's a disaster?" Sound familiar? What ifs keep us safe and small in our comfort zone. What if... you turned it into a game that expands what's possible? Grab a friend and start with a small stretch goal: "What if I wrote an article?" Your friend says "What if you wrote 10?" You ask "What if it became a book?" He says "What if it became a bestseller?" Let the energy and ideas flow, no censuring or over-thinking. Then, focus that energy into one-step-at-a-time action.
Thanks to: Beth Buelow, ACC of The Introvert Entrepreneur.
5. Begin With The End In Mind!
My business is a completely new concept in my area. I do a lot of things that make me uncomfortable- the biggest one, picking up the phone. I hate cold calling. It's an essence to success for me, but it makes me cringe. I believe in positive affermation, and use specific mantras to get me going; "I am a successful, wealthy and savvy business woman." Then I think- what's the worst that will happen? I will be hung up on or these people will turn into clients and wind up paying my bills!
Thanks to: Stacy Mafera of Errands Etcetera.
6. Live Outside Of Your Limits!
To step outside your comfort zone, you must live outside of your limits; that is, ask random questions, challenge the status quo, avoid cliques and anything that limits growth, be fearless as it relates to taking (calculated) risks, meet new people, visit different places, and of course, dream a little....
Life and business are both meaningful and fun when you add to your passion a pinch of excellence and a dash of the unexpected!
Life and business are both meaningful and fun when you add to your passion a pinch of excellence and a dash of the unexpected!
Thanks to: Isha Edwards, Brand Mktg. Mgr. of EPiC Measures, LLC.
7. Put It Out There
I've learn how to grow my business by teaching a course in on-line marketing and on-line etiquette. This has helped me grow my business and build my brand. Networking and business events is a time consuming way of generating sales, you have to build relationships and that takes time, when you write blogs, newsletters, teach classes you are establishing yourself and your business as experts and this is what generates sales. I feel that my business has grown because of this strategy.
Thanks to: Eula M. Young of Griot's Roll Film Production .
8. Never Be Satisfied
Being flexible enough to not only adapt to the changing of clients' needs but maintain your business integrity and level of value has definitely kept me from being complacent.
In addition, the constant need for me to stay ahead of the curve provides just enough motivation to seek out innovative solutions and ideas to consistently address my clients' problems and concerns.
In addition, the constant need for me to stay ahead of the curve provides just enough motivation to seek out innovative solutions and ideas to consistently address my clients' problems and concerns.
Thanks to: A.Michelle Blakeley of Simplicity Mastered.
9. Going Beyond The "Follow Up"
Business development is a bit out of our comfort zone. Still, we've found some great ways to help us improve. Like a better approach to the obligatory follow-up communication. Whether it's in a phone call or an email, we always do more than simply 'check in;' that can come off as desperate and harpy. Instead, we reference that we've been busy since our last meeting learning about their business and their industry, learning about the issues they face and thinking about new ways to help them.
Thanks to: Peter Leeds of Gabardine.
10. Eat Fear For Breakfast
How did a financially successful but miserable manager in corporate America become a speaker and marketing firm owner? By embracing fear! If you don't experience some level of fear on a regular basis, then you are not stretching beyond your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to do something daily that can make a huge difference in your business, but may make you feel uncomfortable. This may include phoning a high profile person, learning new technology or attending a networking event.
Thanks to: Crystal Washington of CWM Enterprises.
11. What's Your Time Worth?
I think it's a common tendency for entrepeneurs to want to do it all and do it their way. But you are one person and it's easy to get lost in the day to day minutia.
Learn the value of your time. Manage or outsource those things that interfere with your primary goal - growing the business.
Bookkeeping, data entry, copy writing and market research are good examples of jobs that can be done by others at reasonable rates.
What's Your Time Worth?
Learn the value of your time. Manage or outsource those things that interfere with your primary goal - growing the business.
Bookkeeping, data entry, copy writing and market research are good examples of jobs that can be done by others at reasonable rates.
What's Your Time Worth?
Thanks to: Peter Hail of Warehouse Cables, LLC.
12. Join The Thought Police
Most of us get stuck in a comfort zone because we think the same thoughts, day in and day out. Those thoughts, even the destructive and disempowering ones, are familiar and safe, like your favorite pair of worn jeans. Instead, choose the thoughts that occupy your mind (yes, your thoughts are a choice), and banish those that don't serve you. It will feel silly at first and the unfamiliar ideas may make you uneasy. Over time, though, your new frame of mind will lead you right out of your rut.
Thanks to: Elise Holtzman of Advocate Success Group LLC.
13. Comfort Zone Divorce
In guiding people to comfort zone separation, we want to understand the past history to gauge where he/she has been successful and where they've been challenged. Next is to hold "the mirror" in front of them, helping them understand risks taken in the past and what strengths they can be employ to exercise courage and abandon that comfort zone. And for areas where a person might be challenged, we work to develop actions that will address weaknesses and others to help duplicate success.
Thanks to: John Haynes of Regeneration! Life & Biz Coaching.
14. Negativity Can Kill Success
If you do "step out of your comfort zone", there's a good chance that at least one person in your social circle (friends, family, etc.) will be very negative about what you're doing. Don't let them stop you! Rid as much negativity from your life as you can. Negative thoughts and are like viruses and can easily kill the possibility of success. You can't always choose the people around you, but at least make them aware of their negativity and its effect on you and your goals.
Thanks to: Ryan Colby of Get Lean In 12.
15. BHAG's Push Your Boundaries
As soon as you rest on your laurels and get complacent your competition will pass you. Truly great business leaders are always pushing and recreating themselves before they have to do so to survive. To keep stepping out of your comfort zone and push your boundaries you should constantly be developing BHAG’s(Big Hairy Audacious Goals). These BHAG’s should be things that stretch and even scare you a bit. The immensity of the goals will force you to think differently and dig deeper.
Thanks to: Michael Denisoff of Denisoff Consulting Group.
16. Small Change Equal Big Comfort
We become comfortable quickly with given activity. One thing to do is continually make one small change every day. A few examples:
1. Take a different route to and from work, amazing what you'll find
2. Eat something you have never had before @ a very different restaurant.
3. Take in a different kind of entertainment, Movie, TV Show, go Oriental or Jewish for a change
4. Introduce yourself to a total stranger.
Consistently do one each day, a huge comfort zone is the result,no barriers.
1. Take a different route to and from work, amazing what you'll find
2. Eat something you have never had before @ a very different restaurant.
3. Take in a different kind of entertainment, Movie, TV Show, go Oriental or Jewish for a change
4. Introduce yourself to a total stranger.
Consistently do one each day, a huge comfort zone is the result,no barriers.
Thanks to: Harlan Goerger of AskHG.com aka H. Goerger & Assoc.
17. Monotony Kills the Soul!
Why did you start your business to begin with? To become complacent and bored? No, it started with a passion! If your fire has dwindled to a smoldering mush, kick it back up by considering other related avenues. If you are so great at what you do, why not teach others your process of greatness? There are thousands of people interested in your field and looking for someone to help. So take a step to kill the monotony and who knows, you may bump into your next business partner along the way.
Thanks to: Peter Awad of Stratus Web Group.
18. Be Brilliant/Postpone the Zone
We operate on habits & ruts. Practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent! The more you repeat a behavior, the stronger the neural groove in the brain. Ever drive the freeway and not remember the last 3 exits? Our brains opt for auto-pilot. Break out of your comfort zone for surprising results. For your next meeting create an agenda of questions, not statements. The brain is naturally curious and wants to answer them. In this competitive world embrace the new & unknown to hold your own.
Thanks to: AmyK Hutchens of AmyK, Inc. .
Compiled by Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
July 22nd, 2010
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July 22nd, 2010
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July 22nd, 2010
I think the first step to get out of your comfort zone is to change your mind set. We can only go as far as our mind limits us. It does not only apply in expanding our business but also in every aspect of our lives.
I also agree that in expanding beyond our comfort zone, we will need a cheering squad – i mean people who will encourage you to continue to run your race on your new track. – Anne
July 24th, 2010
@Anne – I agree. Thanks for the comment!
August 2nd, 2010
I must say that this topic is something the surfaces over and over as an entrepreneur. Things are good, you get complacent and stifle innovation. Business slows down and you think to yourself “I need to get back out there and make some changes!” So its interesting to see that the most growth is typically during down times. You think we would learn from this and change the cycle. Maybe overtime we will!
August 3rd, 2010
@Peter – Thanks for the feedback. I recognize that I myself am a “hyper-changer” and the second something doesn’t seem to work I jump on the next thing. But I recognize (logically) that waiting for things to play out is the only effective approach.