3 Ways To Grow Beyond Your Comfort Zone

,​We are all familiar with the famous "comfort zone." It's almost like an armchair...cozy, familiar and your go to place when all else feels distressing. Comfort zones are just that, comfortable. They are also silent dream killers. As we settle in to that zone of familiarity, we find ourselves empty, unfulfilled and never moving higher than our current circumstances. The place that makes you feel comfy and cozy is arresting your development by caging you and your dreams in through your own comfort. How do we break out of that false sense of security to advance ourselves beyond our comfort zone?
 
1. Dream - Remind yourself of the dreams you've put on the backburner. What are the desires of your heart? Write them down on paper to begin the process of reviving those dreams. If you're not clear on what your dreams are, think about what you want to achieve in the next year. Ask yourself where do you want to be in the next 3 years. Consider at least 3 big things you would like to accomplish in the next 1-3 years. It could be related to your health, finances, work life, travel or anything else your heart desires. Free yourself to dream.
 
2. Direction - Next, give yourself some direction to get started in making those dreams a reality. We're responsible for redirecting ourselves when we've veered off the path or we have remained in the same spot for too long. Identify some steps you can take to get started. For example, if you have always wanted to travel overseas, the first step is to get a passport. If you want to begin saving money, decide to save a small percentage of your paycheck. Start small, so you don't feel overwhelmed.
 
3. Demand - We can set the most amazing goals to fulfill our big dreams, but those dreams will never come to pass if we don't place a demand on ourselves. When we've been stagnant and standing still for a while, it can be a challenge to get going and move. The easiest way to make progress is to take a tiny step in the right direction. Just do something. Decide to do something everyday or every week, depending on the goal, to shift yourself forward out of your comfort zone. The beginning steps will be challenging, but the more strides you take, the easier it gets.