Today is the yearly parents-children game at my 9-year old son’s soccer practice. I really don’t like playing soccer. I totally suck at it. Never been interested in it. But I’ve decided to play this year. Even though it freaks me out a little. I’ve decided to join the dads (cause for some reason the other parent players are mostly dads) and make the most of it. Make it a fun experience. Expand my comfort zone by doing something that I suck at in public.
My affirmation is that my son will be happy that I participated. Better take that chance while it’s still there. In a few years, he will simply think that I’m making a fool of myself. Could even be next year. We’ll see.
My mind can’t help but wander to the hilarious Monty Python sketch of the rugby match between the students and masters. I guess our event will be slightly less violent. But you never know, some adults tend to take these things way too seriously.
Comfort zone. Say it out loud. Sounds comfy and reassuring, doesn’t it? We all have one. It can be huge as for people who dare to do almost anything. Or it can be tiny as for people who are afraid of nearly everything. If you’re on the former side of the scale, you are likely to die in an accident when out on an adventure. If you’re on the latter side of the scale, your house will become a prison since you don’t dear to venture outside into the real world. Better to be in-between. A little bold sometimes. A bit scared at other times.
If you want to grow and continue evolving, you need to step out of your comfort zone now and then. Conquer yet another tiny bit of unclaimed territory. It doesn’t need to be a huge exploration with a whole armada of ships. You can simply take your boat and row to the next unknown island. Expand it just a little. If you do these small excursions frequently, your zone of comfort will grow significantly and along with it so will you.
As you go on these expeditions into uncharted territory, using affirmations as beacons of light can help you navigate the perilous waters. Picture yourself once you have reached the distant shore. Conquered a part of a previously unclaimed land and now made it your own. How will you feel? Hold on to that feeling when the little voice in your head says ”Don’t do this! Turn around while you can!” Use affirmations to silence that voice and complete your endeavor.
So how can we practice stepping out of our comfort zones?
Here are some suggestions:
- Try to do something every day that is a tiny step out of your comfort zone
- Do this every day. Even if it’s just a tiny step, you’ll gradually expand your territory. Taking baby steps instead of huge leaps causes much less stress.
- Make a list of 10 things you could do to expand your comfort zone significantly
- Try something new that you’ve been longing to try but fell short due to lack of courage.
- Use affirmations to help you muster the courage to set sail to that unknown island
- Picture yourself standing on the shore. Mission completed. How will you feel?
- Observe explorers that sailed before you
- Others might have already left a foot print in the sand. Learn from how they did it. Use their experience to make your journey smoother.
- Help others step out of their comfort zones
- In doing so you might discover whole new areas that you didn’t even know existed. It’ll expand your horizon.
Today I’m stepping out of my comfort zone by doing something that I suck at in public.
What are you going to do today to challenge the boundaries of your personal comfort zone?
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