Change: 10 Ways To Knock You Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Here at MotivateThyself.com I am all about helping you pursue your goals and your dreams.  But this is hard to do if you are stuck in your comfort zone.  If you always stay within these boundaries you will never truly know all that is possible.

Here is a list of some of the things you can do to knock you out of your comfort zone and breaek the boundaries that are keeping you from reaching your goals.

1-Change up your routine.

I have already posted about the importance of having a routine.  But sometimes it’s good to break it once in a while to keep from getting too comfortable.  So pick a day to change things up and experience something new.

2-Meet a neighbor.

A great way to get out of your comfort zone while building relationships is to pick a house in your neighborhood and go knock on the door.  If someone answers you can just say that you wanted to meet some of the nice people living in your neighborhood.  If no one answers you can just go to the next house and try again.  (If you live in the country and have no neighbors just think of other ways to meet new people while stepping out of your comfort zone.)

3-Join a club or committee and get involved.

Look in a local paper or go online and find out what kinds of clubs and committees are available to join.  Pick something that interests you but stretches your limits at the same time.  And then get involved.  Don’t just join, but be a regular contributor and try to help it grow.

4-Take a short trip without planning it.

Pick a few days that you have off and decide on a location for a short trip.  But other than packing the essentials, leave without a plan.  Decide as you go, where you will stay and what you will do.  This is a great way to not only stretch yourself but to enjoy a new adventure at the same time.

5-Take on new responsibilities at work.

Be willing to take on new roles and new responsibilities in your job or business.  Decide to not only do them, but to do them well.  One of the keys is not to just make the change but to do it mindfully and with the goal to excel.

6-If you don’t exercise; DO -and- If you do exercise; Double it!

Exercise is essential to good health and a sense of well being, but pushing yourself to go the extra mile is a great way to shake things while building your confidence at the same time.  If you don’t normally exercise, now is the time to start.  Don’t feel like you have to run a marathon.  Just 15 to 20 minutes of lite jogging or brisk walking is all you need to start.  If you already have an exercise routine, look at this as an opportunity to take it to the next level. If you are running 2 miles a day, try 4.  If you are biking 20 miles, then go 40.  This might sound like too much (and you may have to work up to it) but I know you can do it and I know that you will be glad you did.

7-Try some new foods.

This is a fun step.  Look through a cookbook or go online and find some recipes and types of foods that you have never tried.  Then go to the grocery store and get what you need to make these new edibles.  Best case scenario, you find some new foods you like.  Worst case, you broadened your horizons and that’s the main purpose anyway.

8-Set goals that require BIG changes.

Try to set some goals that force you to make some big changes.  Don’t just look at what you think you can do but push yourself to the limits to accomplish the things you want to do (and I know you can do).

9-Learn something new (that you wouldn’t normally learn).

Pick a subject that you wouldn’t normally be interested in and start to learn about it.  Pop online and do a quick search, read some Wiki’s and push your mind to learn something that may not interest you.  This is not only a great brain exercise but a way to expand your understanding of this World.  If you always focus on what you enjoy (which most of us understandably do) you will be greatly limiting your knowledge.  And what I’ve found is that you sometimes even start to enjoy those things that you never thought you would.

Note:  This is also a great way to connect with a wider range of people.  The more you know, the more chance that you will have something to talk about with ‘your neighbor’.

10-Take a hobby to the next level.

Pick one of your hobbies or regular activities and find a way to take it to the next level.  You might try to monetize something or compete with others in that area.  Whatever you decide to do try to make it something that will challenge you.  And who knows, you may find a way to make money while doing something you enjoy.

This is just a short list of some of the ways you can stretch yourself and broaden your horizons.  I hope you get something out of it and feel free to add to it with some of things you’ve done to break free from your comfort zone.