WHY YOU SHOULD STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Why You Should Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

The comfort zone can be described as a psychological state in which an individual feels familiar, in control, and at ease, experiencing low levels of stress and anxiety. When in the comfort zone an individual can maintain a steady level of performance. However, stepping out of one´s comfort zone generates a stress response and raises anxiety. This in turn results in enhanced levels of focus and concentration. Anxiety improves performance up to the point that an optimum level of arousal is achieved.

An individual is said to reach the point of optimal anxiety when he/she is at a place where mental performance and productivity have reached their peak. This brings us to the question, what do you get when you step beyond your comfort zone?

Benefits of Breaking Free and Trying New Things

1. You will be more productive

Comfort kills productivity. Why? Because without that sense of unease which comes from having expectations and deadlines we tend to do only the minimum required. We lose the ambition and drive to learn new things and do more. So we can safely say that pushing beyond your personal boundaries can allow you hit your stride quick, get more work done, and discover smarter ways to work.

2. You will find it much easier to deal with new unexpected changes

By challenging yourself to some things you wouldn't do normally and taking risks in a controlled fashion, you can experience some uncertainty in a manageable and controlled environment. Learning how to live beyond your comfort zone whenever you choose to, prepares you for the life changes that kick you out of it.

3. It will be easier to push boundaries in the future

Once you begin stepping outside your comfort zone, things will start to gets easier over time. Productive discomfort becomes normal to you, and you are willing to push farther. Eventually you will see that when you give yourself challenges, your comfort zone adjusts to the point that what was once anxiety-inducing and difficult becomes much easier as you keep repeating it.

4. It will be much easier to brainstorm and harness creativity

Trying new things makes us reflect on old ideas. It helps us think about how our old ideas clash with new knowledge, and inspires us to learn more things and challenge confirmation bias (tendency to seek out any information we agree with). In the short term, an uncomfortable experience may help us brainstorm, and see old issues in a new light. It will help us tackle any challenges we face with fresh energy.

5. The benefits you derive from stepping beyond your comfort zone lingers

There is an overall self-improvement you derive through the skills you are learning, the new foods you are trying, the new job you are interviewing for and the new country you are visiting. There is also the soft mental advantage you get from expanding your horizons.

Some ways to go beyond your comfort zone without stepping too far include doing everyday things differently, taking your time when it comes to making decisions, trusting in yourself and making quick decisions. Finally make sure to break out of your comfort zone in small steps. Identify your fears, and face them one step at a time.