We’re faced with decisions every single day. Whether it’s something simple like having yoghurt or toast for breakfast, or life changing choices about our careers; these decisions, big and small, shape our future.
Let’s be honest, we all like being comfortable. Whilst many of us have huge ambitions in our careers and lives in general, actually stepping out of our comfort zones and making things happen can be terrifying.
Our MD, Lauren, recently shared a video in which she explains how she was first offered her current position and the fear that came along with it.
At the same time as being excited to be presented with such an amazing opportunity, she was left thinking “Oh my God, I’m going to fail!”
In reality, it’s only really outside of your ‘zone’ where amazing things happen.
What is a comfort zone?
In the simplest of terms, your comfort zone is where you feel most confident. You’re not feeling pressured you know what you’re doing and there are few challenges that give you grief.
Whilst it’s a nice place to be, it’s not always conducive to a successful career.
How to edge your way out of your ‘zone’
We recently read a great article by Lisa Price detailing how she embraced losing her job and used the opportunity to try new things that weren’t necessarily the easiest option.
She listed out a number of ideas for those seeking to move out of their comfort zone, including:
- Making small changes to your routine
Even if it’s just as simple as choosing a new route to work.
- Giving up the reins
Letting go of some control and learning how to delegate tasks to other people in the team.
- Learning new skills
Whether work related or not, learning new skills can make a huge difference when it comes to confidence in other areas of your life.
- Volunteering in your community
Helping out the people who need it whilst also boosting your own learning experience.
- Exercising
Adding new exercise routines to your day can help you become fitter and healthier, whilst also improving your mental health.
- Facing your fears head on
Learning how to feel comfortable in challenging situations can be a tough one, but the only way to make it happen is to put yourself in those scenarios as often as possible.
- Boasting about your achievements
This one doesn’t come naturally to all of us, but it’s so important to blow our own trumpets every now and then. If you’ve done something amazing, tell people about it!
- Getting feedback
Approaching the people that you aspire to for feedback is so helpful when it comes to understanding areas that you need to develop and how you can get there.
- Breaking your goals down
No matter what your goal is, breaking it down into smaller steps will make it so much easier to achieve.
Putting yourself forward
At Grace, we think it’s all about making choices that don’t necessarily feel safe – putting yourself forward for tasks that usually fill you with fear, presenting your thoughts and ideas to your team and creating challenges for yourself that push you into areas that you’re not entirely confident in.
The first step is always the most difficult, but once you start making those little steps out of your comfort zone, you’ll find it gets a lot easier.
Just think, if Lauren had given into her fears of becoming the new MD at Grace, where would we all be now?
Are you looking for a new role to build your skills and get you out of your comfort zone?
Get in touch with us today to have a chat with one of our friendly recruitment consultants!