Is it time for you to bloom this spring? 5 tips for stepping outside your comfort zone.

We have just changed the clocks. Spring is arriving and we can see this in nature around us. Nature is a forever changing entity, tides come and go, flowers fade then re-bloom in spring, trees shed their leaves and then flourish, tadpoles change into frogs and caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. So why as humans are we often fearful of change? New things or new ideas or technology or changing ourselves and our routines and coming out of our cocoons.

The answer is often comfort zones. They are cosy, and we know what we are doing, what is happening and we are in control. That’s the key for many people, we are in control and that feels safe.

Stepping out of our comfort zones can bring challenge, learning new skills and achieving great things, but for many the process is blocked by fear of the unknown or fear of losing that control.

I was coaching a client recently who said the journey had been like growing from a bulb into a daffodil but she still needed to fully bloom with more positive self talk and stepping out of her comfort zones.

Do you want to fully bloom this spring. Makes changes? Find out what you are capable of?

Here are a few tips below to find your way out of that comfort zone to where the magic happens.

What is the worst that can happen?

As a coach I talk a great deal about limiting beliefs and barriers to change or achieving goals. One of these barriers is often fear of things going wrong or fear of the unexpected. To counter this ask yourself, what is the worst that could happen?

If you are fearful of presenting what is worst case scenario, forgetting your words, freezing? Now consider how bad this would be if it happened. If you paused for a moment in your presentation, what would happen, would the world end? Or would you gather your thoughts review your slides or notes and begin with a new point allowing the audience a little thinking time? If the idea of freezing or forgetting your words still terrifies you, consider what you can do to prevent this. Do you use PowerPoint with slides to give you pace and reminders? Have you practiced the presentation?

If networking is your fear what is the worst case? Will you stand in the corner with no one talking to you? If this is your fear make a plan. Go to the tea area, grab a cup of tea and ask if the person next to you has been before. Explain you are new and nervous and conversation begins. Best case you make great contacts, worst case you have survived without being alone in the corner!

If you , as I do, break out in a sweat about cold calling, consider again what are you so worried about. If every receptionist shuts you down? If ten people say no thanks? In the whole scheme of things is this so bad? Does it hurt, apart from your ego? Make a cup of tea and start again and that great lead could be right there.

There is an old saying that says “feel the fear and do it anyway”. Consider what your worst case is, then either take steps to prevent or admit that even if the worst happened it’s not as bad as you imagine in your head.

Embrace and use fear

Even when you are prepared you may always feel an element of fear with something outside of your comfort zone, it is after all outside of your comfort zone therefore uncomfortable. Embrace and use the nerves by channelling this to excitement. Be positive and think about the amazing feeling you will have when you realise your sense of achievement and complete what you have set out to do despite the fear.

Overcoming those nerves and doing something new will leave you feeling satisfied and ready for your next challenge.

List the positives

Ask yourself why you want to step out of your comfort zone and what benefits you will gain. What new skills will you gain that can be applied elsewhere? How will you feel when you have carried out the task? If it’s a new job, what will you enjoy and be motivated by? Make your list, make it detailed, and then keep referring back to the list to stay motivated for the challenge.

Remind yourself that change can be good

I am not one for loving winter, but I know it makes spring feel amazing, summer lifts my spirits and the change means looking forward to something new.

Stepping away from routine and making change eases boredom, generates new ideas and ways of thinking, makes improvements and should be embraced. If routine is your comfort zone then step outside, make some small changes that may generate positive results.

Aim to make one change each week that steps outside your zone, make it happen, feel in control and realise it’s possible. Increase with two changes a week until you are regularly carrying out tasks that challenge your thinking or habits away from the norm. Pick tasks you consider fearful or outside of your normal realms of comfort. Take on a new project, put forward an idea you have been keeping to yourself and see what people think, attend a networking event. Just make a change and see how possible it is and the benefits it generates.

Change your mindset and view change as bringing positive new thoughts, processes or habits rather than a negative. Accept that like winter into spring, doing something that may seem difficult or different could bring flourishing results.

Just one step

My final point is if you are really very cosy in your comfort zone take just one small step outside, just a little toe in the cold water. Taking one small step to making a change is one step on the right road. If you want to be able to present to a room of people, find a voice within meetings. Challenge yourself to speak up and make a point at each meeting. If you want a new position, shadow someone for a day, seek out a mentor or attend a training course. Make that first cold call. Once you take one step into the unknown you will realise it soon becomes within your control and you are ready to take another step and before you know it you will be diving out of your comfort zone on a regular basis.

It may be cosy in that zone, but step outside this spring, overcome your fears and then bask in the sunshine of your success and achievement.