Jumping off the cliff

“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

We have all had that feeling. Standing on the edge of the (usually metaphorical) cliff and feeling that extreme mix of fear and excitement. Wondering if we can actually do it. Wondering if we should actually do it. What do you usually do – do you jump into the unknown? Or do you give in to those fearful thoughts and slowly back away and go back to certainty and safety?

The phrase comfort zone just sounds so pleasant, doesn’t it? It sounds like a place you want to spend most of your time in. It invokes thoughts of a couch, cozy blanket, maybe a fireplace, or glass of wine, and well comfort.  

And that is the ultimate problem with comfort zones, they are generally nice and safe places to be. Now there is nothing inherently wrong with staying in your comfort zone, and if you are happy with where you are and feel zero desire to change anything, then feel free to stay there (and you can probably stop reading this).

But if you want something more – a little more growth, success, excitement, learning, anything slightly different than what you have now, well then you are going to have to bust through that fear.

We all have different things that are outside our comfort zones. For some people it can look like quitting their job and starting that business they have been dreaming about for years, for others it might be trying a new skill and accepting that they will probably suck at it for a little while, and for still others it might involve finally taking control of their health and making different nutrition & lifestyle choices. There are countless ways of stepping out of your comfort zone and for each person, it is going to look a little different.

Personally, moving to a new place, attending events by myself (oh how I miss events!), and making new friends are all things that have (come to be) in my comfort zone. However, posting on Instagram, texting that cute guy, and asking for help are examples of things that I still need that little extra push for.  

I guarantee you know exactly what those things are for you. Those things that cause your palms to sweat a little and give you butterflies in your stomach and make you kind of want to run and hide. But the thought of actually doing it also gives you a rush of excitement, pride, and accomplishment. It makes you feel empowered and like you can do anything and is where true growth and learning happens. And the best part is, each time you exercise this muscle of overcoming fear and stepping outside what you know and are comfortable with, it gets easier, and your comfort zone expands.

How can you leave your comfort zone and jump off the cliff into the unknown??