Stretching outside your comfort zone

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” Anonymous Quote

Hi all. I just wrapped my first project with my new firm. Even though I have years of consulting experience, this role has been a stretch for me. I am working with a niche firm that is very specialized, so although it is an industry I have been in my whole life, and a role similar to what I have done before, the work and analysis is at a different level. I am challenged everyday and learning so much. I am loving it, but it is hard. I am being stretched outside of my comfort zone.

The Britannica dictionary defines a comfort zone as "a place, situation, or level where someone feels confident and comfortable."

I like being cozy and comfortable, how about you? Moving outside of that zone means I am taking a risk and a risk means I might not be successful. Fear of failure is a whole different type of motivation. I have decided for me it is going to be great thing and here is why.

Accelerated Learning

• If something is unfamiliar you dig in to learn all you can. I dug deep for this one! I asked a lot of questions along the way, and I tried to soak up the new knowledge like a sponge. I have already learned new skills and my comfort level with the subject matter has grown so I know that I am ready for the next situation.

• Taking risks will help you grow as an individual and will teach you about your interests, passions, talents, strengths and weaknesses. Every time you accomplish something you did not think you were capable of, you become more confident, knowledgeable and skilled.

“Each time you try something for the first time you will grow-a little piece of the fear of the unknown is removed and replaced with a sense of empowerment.” -Annette White

New perspective

• Perspective helps us to understand situations from other positions, to consider other beliefs, experiences and view points. Expanding your comfort zone gives you a new perspective. Your mind will be open to new ways of doing things.

• On my last project I worked with several co-workers with different backgrounds. I learned how to approach the issues we were diving into in a different way than I would have done myself. When you do something you have never done before, you will get different results that you have never gotten before.

• A new perspective allows you to:

  1. See a problem or challenge from different angles to develop a better knowledge. It gives you a more balanced viewpoint.

  2. See the strengths and weaknesses of a problem.

  3. Supports us to develop a more accurate idea of where things sit.

• Learning a new perspective can be hard. It is not something you will pick-up overnight The time factor frustrated me and so I beat myself up pretty good. I discovered I needed to ask myself some questions at the end of each week to see the growth and set realistic expectations.

  1. Were you challenged this week?

  2. Were you bored?

  3. How would you describe your impact on others you worked with, your customers, or those who you came into contact with this week?

  4. Is this the type of impact you want?

  5. Are you proud of the work you did?

“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender, it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”—Steven Covey

Ask for Feedback

• Feedback is a gift. The only way to prioritize growth is to constantly seek ways in which you can improve and seeking feedback is a great starting point.

• Often people are eager to get feedback, but most are looking for approval or recognition rather than personal growth. It is important that we look for improvement and not approval.

• When I was spinning on this project I reached out for feedback. It required me to reflect on where I knew I needed to work and the person giving the feedback learned in the process too. It was scary and a painful, but opened up a dialogue that was needed. At the end of the day, we were both better for having had the conversation.

“Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end…because in the end, it shows you a whole new world.” -Manoj Arora

I believe any stretch or change can make us feel uneasy. It requires courage. It forces us to think outside the box. Where in your life can you S T R E T C H ?

Until next time…-Leigh