I know you’re probably tired of hearing it, but we need to talk about why you should step outside your comfort zone. I promise I won’t make you do it all at once, nor will you need to do anything crazy dangerous.

Yeah, it’s gonna be tough and you’re not going to enjoy parts of it. But you have to step outside your comfort zone to get where you want to be.

One thing all the step outside your comfort zone quotes don’t do is tell you why your comfort zone is uncomfortable. Because if you’re stuck in a job or relationship that you don’t actually enjoy, guess what? That unenjoyable thing is the comfort zone. It’s probably not super comfortable, but your brain will tolerate it over the fear of going after something new.

The step outside your comfort zone meaning I’m here to share today is the one where you do the thing you want because you were meant to do it, even though it’s going to be hard to do.

A Very Good Reason to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

So, what is your comfort zone? Basically, it’s what you know. It’s the experience that you can anticipate. Like, I know that staying home every night and watching Netflix is safe and easy. But I also know that doing that won’t help me accomplish my to do list or enable me to get ahead on some of the work I do.

There isn’t anything inherently bad about your comfort zone. It’s there when you need it. Down time is important, and I need a few nights in, watching Netflix and refilling my brain. But every single night? Not a great thing.

So, why is it hard to step out of your comfort zone when we know that it’s not where we want to be all the time? Why is it so hard to do the things you want to do sometimes?

I have a theory that you need to leave the comfort zone regularly. You need to put it in your planner so that you have a routine set for it. And you need to do that so you don’t get stuck.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is like a muscle. You have to exercise it regularly so you don’t lose it. Because the longer you stay cooped up or out of the habit, the harder it gets moving forward.

And there are times when you should absolutely cocoon in your comfort zone. It’s there for a reason and you should let it take care of you in those seasons of life when you need it. But if you find yourself frustrated at your lack of progress or how stuck you feel, it’s time to shake things up.

How to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

In the interest of showing you how easy it can be, here are some stepping out of your comfort zone examples. You don’t have to go skydiving or do something big and over-the-top. It can be a simple, small choice with big impact.

001: Send out your resumé.

Ready for a new job? Want a higher salary or a better work environment? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Send out that resumé.

And this is really an uncomfortable thing, because guess what? You’re going to get rejected a few times. That’s just the nature of job hunting. But that doesn’t mean you’ll always be rejected.

The first step to getting a new job is letting employers know you’re interested. And it’s a lot of stress. But never underestimate how much a little discomfort upfront can do for you. If it means getting out of a job you don’t like, it’s totally worth it.

002: Tell that cute guy he looks good.

Do you have a crush on someone? You should let them know.

I know that sounds really stressful, but like, do you want to be with them or not? And if we’re being honest, embarrassment fades. Trust me. I know.

So, take that one moment to be vulnerable and tell the person you think is cute that they’re cute. It may pay off in the form of a first date. Or it might not. You’ll literally never know unless you try.

003: Sign up for a class.

Is there something you want to learn? GO OUT AND LEARN IT.

I love signing up for classes, no matter what they are. Adult education centers have tons of great classes in tons of different topics. You can learn how to sew or use a digital camera or cook Thai food.

I think wanting to learn is a great example of how uncomfortable your comfort zone can be. You start without the information you want, and that isn’t ideal. Then, you work to get the information, and you achieve a new comfort zone!

There are tons of online classes you can take too. So whatever thing you really want to learn is just waiting for you to learn it.

004: Share your work.

It’s extremely vulnerable to share what you’ve been working on, especially when you know it won’t be everyone’s thing.

So if you’ve been doing some kind of art or building a thing or just hitting the gym, share it. Show it off on social media. Tell your friends. Make sure everyone knows what you’ve been up to.

Yeah, not everyone will care, and there will always be a few assholes that try to diminish the stuff you’ve been working on by insulting it. But you know what? The more you share what you’ve been doing, the easier it will be to share it.

And once it gets easy to share it, then you can actually get some recognition because you deserve it.

005: Speak your mind.

This is probably the hardest way to step outside your comfort zone.

No matter who you’re speaking with, it can be hard to say what you actually mean. You’ll probably offend some, or others will make assumptions about you based on what you’ve shared.

But sharing what you actually mean and feel is important. It’s super vulnerable, but it’s also the only way that people can actually get to know you.

Being who you actually are is very, very hard. And not many people actually do it. But speaking your mind is the first step to getting out of your comfort zone and being yourself.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Like You Mean It

A good step outside your comfort zone synonym would be something like taking a chance. It can feel like a gamble, and honestly, fortune favors the brave.

Sure, stepping out of your comfort zone at work won’t always result in a promotion. But it can result in you learning how to take those kinds of chances more often, and maybe they’ll pay off.

If you’re worried about how to get out of your comfort zone socially, start by saying what you mean and maybe telling that cute guy he looks good.

The more you build up the habit of stepping out of your comfort zone, the easier it gets. And it will become intentional. It will become the way you live your life.

Imagine not even noticing that moment of discomfort before you make a little change…all you gotta do to get there is step outside your comfort zone.