They call it the comfort zone, but it’s not really all that comfortable when it comes right down to it.
It’s like a sad old bed with a well-worn “me-shaped” rut gouged into it. Or a ragged old suit that really doesn’t fit that well and is beginning to get threadbare.
Okay, enough metaphors. The point is, I know that you want to be successful both in your business and your life (otherwise, why read this!)
But no one ever attained great success by lounging around in his or her comfort zone.
The comfort zone is small, finite, and ultimately oppressive. No one remains there without sacrificing something else. The “something else” they give up is limitless possibility and freedom.
I love this image, it pretty much says it all:
To paraphrase Robert Browning’s famous quote, “One’s reach should exceed one’s grasp…” I’m sure you’ve heard that. But the lesser known ending to the phrase is, “…or what’s a heaven for?”
I take that to mean, that if you want to live the life of your dreams (create your heaven on earth), you’d better stretch yourself past your reach.
Unfortunately, today’s fear quickly becomes tomorrow’s regret. And if you wait until the discomfort of staying stuck in your “comfort” zone becomes great enough to get you to move, it may be too late.
Stretching beyond your limitations is like any new skill. It might be scary at first and it takes some practice.
So why not plan some “Out of Zone” experiences this summer? You can start small and build your way up. Whether it’s within your business or your home life, try something new. Visit an exotic place… Make a cold call… Learn to scuba dive… Raise your fees.
Remember, it’s more about getting used to stretching, than the activity itself. So have courage and embrace the tingle of anticipation as you step into a larger life.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
