5 most effective ways to get out of your comfort zone

You want to put yourself out there, you want to start your content creation journey, you want to go to the gym without feeling like your heart is going to rip out of your chest, you want to be able to walk up to strangers and start a conversation with them, but you are too scared. 

We love predictability, comfort, or anything we are familiar with, because when we already know the outcome, it gives us a sense of peace and makes us feel as if we are in control. But in reality, we are a puppet. Our fear controls us, and because of that, we won’t be able to do the things we want to do, create the reality that we want to experience, and live as the highest and most successful version of ourselves.

Because nothing you want to accomplish in life is found in your comfort zone.

To get something different, you have to be different. You have to do something different.

In this edition of my blog, I’ll be sharing five of the most effective ways you can get out of your comfort zone, so you can start creating the life you’ve always dreamed of—without being held back.

1. Start small - Take baby steps

When you first start this journey, it can feel very overwhelming and intimidating, at least that’s what I felt. You are putting yourself in new territory, a place your brain has never experienced before, meaning, your nervous system is going to be a wrench. That is why you always feel anxious when you try new things. It’s NEW. 

But here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to be that way. In this journey, starting small is crucial. When you move slowly and give yourself time and space to adapt, you are also preventing your nervous system from activating your fight-or-flight response. For example, if you want to start going to the gym but are too scared, go but stay there for 5 minutes. You don’t have to do anything, just stay in that environment. The next day, stay for 10 and slowly increase that time everyday. After a certain period, when your nervous system has registered the environment and eliminated it as a potential threat, your anxiety will go down and after a while, you will walk through those doors like you own them.

That is the power of starting small. You allow yourself to slowly adapt to the change you are presenting without the overwhelming  pressure or fear. You might think that these small steps are insignificant but they will amount to big results over time. The more you expose yourself to these small challenges, the more your brain rewires itself to feel safe in new situations. This gentle approach helps you build confidence naturally, making new experiences feel less intimidating and more manageable over time.

2. Embrace being a beginner - Nobody is perfect

It’s okay to want to be the best and achieve big things but putting that kind of pressure on yourself, right from the beginning will only cause you to back out before you even start. You're not perfect and nobody expects you to be. We’re all humans and the world is big. We’re all constantly evolving and that requires us to learn new things we were not previously familiar with, making us a beginner and that’s something that is often shamed in society.

Remember though: Being a beginner is a natural and necessary part of growth. It means you’re stepping outside what’s familiar and challenging yourself to learn something new. No one is born with all the knowledge that God had to offer, they learned it throughout their lives, and just like you, they were once a beginner. 

So, be patient with yourself and trust the process. Embrace where you are right now as the starting point of your journey, and with time, dedication, and faith, you’ll grow into the person you’re meant to be.

3. Reflect on your WHY - Remember why you started and where you’re going

We all have a final destination we want to reach, but to get there, you have to actually start. This is where your “Why” comes into play. As I said in the beginning of this blog, this journey is overwhelming, so starting small is crucial, but sometimes it gets too much and emotions take over. In times like this, you should get out your journal and reflect on why you started. This is a powerful tool because it not only allows you to regain the purpose of your journey, but also lets you visualize where you are going, which helps you align with what you want to receive.

Your “WHY” is the anchor that holds you down when everything feels too much. It reminds you of where you started, why you started, and where you are trying to go. It brings you back to the vision you had when you first began and helps you stay focused when doubt, fear, or exhaustion start to creep in. So don’t forget: Reflect, Reflect, Reflect.

4. Surround yourself with people that inspire you 

You are who you surround yourself with. The people around you heavily affect the way you live your life and the decisions you make. So, when you start the journey to get out of your comfort zone and try new things, you don’t need anybody from your circle making you feel all the negativity vibes.

You need people who inspire you, motivate you and remind you all that you are capable of. If the people around you are not doing this, then it’s time to say “Bye, Bye, Good Bye”. And don’t be afraid to do that because where you are going is so important that you shouldn’t even have to think twice before cutting off the people that distract, judge and bring bad vibes. 

Surround yourself with people that align with who you are and the life you’re trying to build. Choose your circle wisely, because they can either be your biggest distraction or your greatest support.

Your environment and what you consume is equally as important

Stop putting yourself in environments that make you doubt your self-worth and self-perception. Your mindset is what will get you to where you need to go. So, stop letting it be influenced by people who won’t understand you and environments that make you feel drained. Place yourself in places you will thrive.

Also, the content you consume is registered by your subconscious mind. Even if you don’t realize it, those messages shape your beliefs, your confidence, and how you see yourself. So look at content that motivates, inspires and aligns with who you want to become. 

5. Stay consistent - Even when unmotivated

That spark you got that made you realize you deserved more and God has a higher purpose  for your life, sometimes it fades and when that happens, you can’t slide away with it. You have to be courageous enough to continue that walk, even when all you want to do is return to your shell that makes you feel safe and comfortable.

Motivation fades and you need to learn to walk without it. This is something I struggled with for a very long time and I still struggle with it now. Consistency is what moves you forward when motivation fades. So do it, everyday. Even when you’re tired, scared, unmotivated. It doesn't matter, those are all feelings and feelings come and go, so stay consistent and do it.

If you’re still here, 🎉to you. I know this journey is scary and it’s not easy but doing this is what is going to help you grow into the person you are meant to be. It will help you level up in so many ways that I can’t even count all of them. So don’t forget: Your dreams are waiting for you on the other side of fear. So take that step, keep moving, and trust the process. You’ve got this.

If you want anymore of my content, make sure to check out all my social links and subscribing to my newsletter The Level up letter. There is also a community of like minded people if you want to join at Tumblr. 

I hope this brought you some clarity and inspiration. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next edition. Until then, keep growing and showing up for yourself.