Stepping out of your comfort zone.

 
Who would have thought making a Christmas Wreath could be so enjoyable?
 
Step 1.  Saying yes to something I have not tried before
 
Step 2.  Being curious about the day.  Welcoming opportunities to connect. 
 
Step 3.  Being in the moment with others also enjoying themselves.  Being totally present on the task at hand ie. Wreath making… okay maybe some signing and laughing was involved.  Allowing creativity to flow.  Not analysing or being hard on myself but instead feeling proud of what I have accomplished.
 
Step 4.  Mood elevated, sense of satisfaction and accomplishment and a beautiful wreath to show for it.
 
Moral of this story is: 
 
Sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zone (even when we are fearful of making a mistake or getting hurt) can be really hard.   But did you know that not expanding your comfort zone can have longer term consequences, particularly when you are faced with situations you simply cannot avoid.
 
Okay so what does ‘expanding your comfort zone’ look like?
 
Sometimes when we are curious enough, we end up opening a door that does not necessarily lead us to the set destination but provides a space for us to be more curious and explore our options, which then can lead into an area we truly had not planned or did not expect. 

Some of us may not like that feeling of not being able to control a situation and so won’t be so willing to try something we have not tried before.  That being said, the growth and possibility that comes from expanding our area of comfort, can be so rewarding and in some cases, life changing.  

Some of us might need a little bit more information to take that step into the curiosity zone. This is normal for a lot of us and so researching the area you want to explore might be just what you need for this particular task.  And some of us may need to adjust our mindset.    

Start where you are at, what you think you can manage.  Perhaps it is saying yes to something you that only frightens you a little.  The truth is, we do not know how we will respond to a new experience or if we will like it or not. (we will certainly come up with all the reasons not to try it or how we might feel about it).   

Giving yourself every opportunity to at least explore things with curiosity in a way that you still feel safe and in a way that feels manageable to you, might be just what you need.  

Maybe you are trying something new, with a bunch of friends.  (oh did I mention I was going on a cruise with my friends – oh and I am not a fan of cruising, boats in general really), but I said yes and honestly, I am now excited.   
Opportunities give you the platform to learn new things about yourself, a skill or about the experience itself, increase your confidence just enough to try it again, or try something new.  
 
It has the potential to open the door to a new way of thinking and maybe, just maybe, you will say yes to the next thing. 
 
And the bonus is, with each yes, the potential to build your confidence for the next small action or next big adventure is a given.
 
So, my encouragement today is for you is to think of a time when you stepped out your comfort zone.  Now think about all the skills you used to be able to do that. (at least 5).  Now remind yourself that you can use those skills again.  Maybe even adding some new ones you gained along the way.
 
 
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” —Abraham Maslow
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