Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Try new things
• Method 2 of 3: Think positively to overcome fears
• Method 3 of 3: Make long-term changes
• Tips
• Warnings

There isn't much room for adventure and excitement within your comfort zone. To spice up your life it is important to try new and sometimes scary things. Push your limits! Getting out of your comfortable bubble can be difficult at first, but taking on unfamiliar challenges can make you happier and more satisfied in the long run. To become a pro at meeting these challenges, you need to learn to think positively about stepping outside your comfort zone. Then you can start working on making your new attitude permanent.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Try new things

1. Choose activities that challenge you. Think of a few things that scare you or make you nervous. Make a list and place an asterisk next to the point you want to start with. You can tackle the other later.
   • Your list may include things like: "Skydiving, Moby Dick read, write a short story, go on a blind date. "
2. Write a mission statement about your challenge. Think of one or more reasons why you want to tackle this obstacle. Wonder what this new experience will bring you. If you have the answer to such questions, put it on paper and keep it with you. This could be a phrase you repeat to yourself every time you think about quitting.
   • For example, if you are going on a blind date, tell yourself, "I have often dated someone because I arranged it myself, but I have not met anyone I can envision a future with. This could be my chance! "
3. Bring a buddy for extra support. Doing something new on your own can make it even more challenging. There is no reason to leave family and friends out, and they can help you step out of your comfort zone! Choose someone who is naturally adventurous to be your partner in new experiences.
4. Do your research for more information. You may shy away from trying a new activity because it seems like it's a big question mark. To answer any questions you have, you can go online and read about it. Look for reliable information that makes you feel as if you are not completely in the dark and prepared for it.
   • Try .gov, .org, or .edu websites whenever possible. Avoid websites with spelling mistakes or formatting problems.
   • The internet can be overwhelming at times. While it is great to be informed, don't go too deep into it that you end up scaring yourself with scenarios that could arise in unlikely cases.
   • For example: Maybe you are thinking about moving to Amsterdam, but you have never lived in a big city. Read everything you can about living in Amsterdam, so you know how to live there safely and happily. You can look up the best neighborhoods that fit your personality and needs, and get excited about all the fun things the future holds!
5. Break the activity down into small steps. If you feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the challenge you have chosen for yourself, don't do it all at once. You can make it into a multi-step plan so that you can climb this mountain gradually.
   • Maybe you want to go skydiving, but you are horrified at the idea of ​​jumping out of an airplane. Go to the top of a very tall building and carefully look over the edge. Then try a less invasive activity with heights, such as parasailing or bungee jumping at an amusement park.
6. Give yourself an ultimatum. Don't make excuses. Tell yourself that you are going to try this new thing, or that you will "take away" some other daily activity that you enjoy. If you don't like the new thing, then you never have to do it again.
   • The penalty for your ultimatum is supposed to be mental, but if you're really having a hard time with it, make it concrete. Tell yourself, "No coffee for a month if I don't try this."

Method 2 of 3: Think positively to overcome fears

1. Visualize challenges as opportunities to grow. The biggest barrier to getting out of your comfort zone is fear, especially the fear of failure. Rather than focusing on the possibility of failure, view the steps outside your comfort zone as opportunities. Perhaps the change that makes your life better is just around the corner!
   • Stepping outside your comfort zone can make you happier and more satisfied. Keep keeping those positive opportunities in mind to push your fears away.
   • For example: You want to be considered for a promotion that has become vacant at work, but are terrified that you will not get the job. Instead of focusing on that outcome, imagine what would happen if you got the job!
2. Coach yourself through scary situations. Positive self-talk can really help you step out of your comfortable bubble. Repeat encouraging, positive mantras to yourself. Use your own name and speak to yourself in the first person to make it more effective.
   • You can say something like, "Jenna, I know you're scared, but you're just going to try this. Just think about how much fun you can have! You are strong and brave. "
   • You can even find a quiet place or go to a bathroom and talk to yourself out loud in front of the mirror.
   • This can be very helpful in giving yourself that final push. You are on the plane, ready for the jump and your first time skydiving. Now you have to persevere!
3. Put on abdominal breathing to reduce stress. Take a deep breath and focus on filling your belly with wonderful, clean air. As you inhale, imagine that you are simultaneously breathing in confidence. If this confidence has filled you, it stays there. Let go of your breath, along with your insecurities.
   • This can be a great daily exercise or something you do right before you need some extra confidence. For example, make sure to take a few breaths before meeting your blind date.
4. Picture the worst-case scenario to put your fear in perspective. Ask yourself, "What is the most terrible that could happen?" Think about how you could deal with such circumstances if they did arise. Once you are prepared for the worst, you can be pleasantly surprised by something better!
   • Don't answer your question with crazy options, such as, "I could die." If you do, let it be followed by the thought of how unlikely that is.
   • For example: You have always wanted to travel through North America, but all you can think about is that you will get stuck because your car is failing or you run out of gas. You can make plans for this! Bring extra fuel. You can even invest in a radio that will allow you to contact emergency services if you are out of range of the cell phone.

Method 3 of 3: Make long-term changes

1. Do small daily things that you normally wouldn't do. Challenge yourself. Look for ways to get out the door through small actions. Once you have made stepping out of your comfort zone a daily routine, it will become much easier to take on bigger challenges.
   • For example, you can start a conversation with a stranger in the supermarket, listen to a new genre of music while driving to work, or try a different flavor of coffee in the morning.
2. Change your usual habits to bring some life to the brewery. If you're stuck in a rut, break the pattern! Look for moments in your life that feel repetitive or monotonous. Think of these as opportunities to step outside of your comfort zone.
   • For example, if you always order vanilla ice cream, choose caramel next time.
3. Make every day a learning experience. Change the way you view your daily life. Look at each day as an opportunity to learn something new. Remember, this can only happen if you step outside of your comfort zone.
   • You can do this by always looking for ways to grow. Start with a book you want to read. Buy a different newspaper than you always read. Take a different route to work. You never know what you will learn about the world when you explore it from different sides!

Tips

• Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone can take a lot of time. Don't panic, be patient and believe that nothing is impossible.

Warnings

• Don't confuse stepping outside your comfort zone with being reckless.
• It is good not to know what will happen, to ignore dangers a little less and take risks a little more. Don't ignore dangers too much - always make sure you are safe and don't take risks that you will regret in the future!