This month we will be focusing our attention on our comfort zones. I want us to really take an honest look at what and how strong they are.
First, let me start by stating that I believe that comfort zones are a great thing and essential to good health. We all need these ‘places’ to unwind and escape. What I am concerned with are those areas in our life that are holding us back and keeping us from meeting our goals (or from even setting them). I am talking about those things that we just can’t seem to get ourselves to do because we are either afraid, lazy, unmotivated, etc… Maybe it’s the fear of meeting new people that is keeping you from making the contacts that you need to help take that next step in your job or business. Maybe you want to get into shape but you don’t exercise because it’s ‘too hard’. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to see certain places in the World but you just can’t seem to get in gear and make it happen.
Whatever the case, I want you to weed out those parasitic habits and restrictive behaviors that are holding you back. This week I want to you to chew on this question, figure out what your ‘problem areas’ are so you will be ready for next week when we work on ‘The Challenge’ and start setting goals and making changes.
Then, after you have a clear understanding of what’s ‘got to go’, I want you to post it here as well as read what others have posted. And as the week goes by my hope is that we will have a better understanding of everyone’s struggles and needs in this particular area. This is key because it is this knowledge that will allow us to support, encourage and give advice to each other. As you can see, the goal here is to grow not only as an individual, but as a community as well. It is the support of a large group of people that will maximize our potential for success as well as give us the opportunity to be a part of others’ growth as well. So it’s a win-win situation that only requires your participation!
I believe the biggest thing that held me back is that my profession in and of itself is a comfort zone. For me though as a 43 yr old CPA, I am ready to break outside my comfort zone and find out that life has much more to offer than spending all day in cubicle.
Marley
@Marley: I know exactly what you mean. As a tech consultant I spend a lot of time in front of computers. Thankfully most of my services are performed on-site so I at least get to go to different locations. But if you’ve seen on computer, you’ve seen them all. I’m with. More time outdoors and experiencing life is the way to go. Life is TOO SHORT!
Hi Eric,
What an interesting idea for a series.
Like you, I spend TOO much time in front of my computer. My saving grace is that our business often means I have to get out and run errands. It’s a good thing, otherwise, I probably would sit here all day. Not good!
@Barbara: Good point. Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to drop by. You’ll have to stop by next week for ‘Week2 The Challenge’ and participate in the whole process.
My parasitic habit is definitely procrastination. ‘I can always do it later’. Yeah, that’s not working for me much.
My restrictive behavior is I don’t stay motivated. Life conks me in the head with a two by four just one too many times and I get a ‘why bother’ attitude that is downright depressing (then I’m on the computer too much so I can avoid it all).
Am I a lost cause?
@Bonnie: Lost cause? No. Human being? Yes.
As procrastination goes, it plagues many of us. What helps me is getting up to date on things so when I let something slide I REALLY feel it. You know how it is, if you have a lot of things piling, not doing one of them doesn’t seem like it makes a big difference. But if you are on top of everything and then you even let ONE THING slide, you feel it. It sticks out like a sore thumb. So make a list of everything that needs to get done to be up to date. Then just maintain. It’s always easier to maintain then it is to catch up.
In regards to the motivation thing; come back tomorrow. I’ll be posting on that issue and you might get some pointers that will help you out.
And then next week we’ll begin the ‘Challenge’ phase for Motivate2ACTION! so be ready.
Comfort zones, hmmmm. In sales I think of it in terms of “I’ve paid my dues, I don’t have to do that anymore”. Oh, but when you break out of that mindset, it’s amazing the things you can accomplish. Sure, cold calling and putting in the extra effort when needed isn’t comfortable, but the rewards can be amazing (as in your personal life as well).
@David: This is a great point and something I’m going to touch on next week with ‘The Challenge’. I’ve also had many sales positions in the past and can relate 100%. Hope you stick around through the whole process.
I’m with Bonnie on the procrastination; I never seem to be able to make time to do the things that I want to, to progress. There’s always some little thing out there to do that might be a bit more fun, or a bit less effort. With all these little easy things I enjoy doing, I cant find the time to put in a little hard graft to actually get something done… Lawn looks like it needs another mo, got a load of washing to put in… ooh, another cheese sarnie would be good!
@Matt: I struggle with that myself. I always have. The key for me has been to have some BIG life goals that drive me to ‘get things done’. You want to have a big picture goal and then some smaller goals that are more easily attainable. When you see something like the lawn needing to be mowed you can look at your goals and ask yourself, “If I don’t mow the lawn right now will this get in the way of my goals?” Well, if it eventually needs to get done and will be harder to do later on, if you put it off, then the answer would be yes. If your goals are enticing enough, then chances are you will mow the lawn. If not, you need to rethink your goals.
I know it’s not always that easy I am not saying that I never procrastinate. I have just found that I am less likely to do so if I have a clear vision of where I’m headed and how I will get there. The ‘little things’ around me will only be a distraction if I let them pile up. So, for me, knocking them out as they come is more and more a habit and less of a struggle.
Meeting new people (on a social level) is always a hard thing for me. If it’s in a business context than I have no problem. But on a personal level I find myself having trouble opening up and letting people in. I know this stems from being an introvert, but that’s no excuse. It does hinder me in life and it’s something I want to overcome.
well!!..i m often told that “i remain in my comfort zone” which trigerrs a thought that why someone from outside could tell you that you are in comfort zone than you your self predict it… i am in a job where i have to sit at front of computer whole day and then left with a little less time to take-up things which interest me(say dancing classes)…may be i m not taking that little extra effort to come out of my comfort zone…i m just scratching my head
to find the answer of this WHY!