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 When you think of "risk-taking" what comes to mind? Maybe the idea of risk conjures up images of a skydiver hurtling through the atmosphere after leaping from a plane thousands of feet up! Of course you don't have to jump from a plane to be considered a risk taker. We all take little risks every day we are alive and sometimes taking bigger risks can really make a difference in how thing play out for us.
Perhaps a more user-friendly way to view the idea of risk-taking is to think about it as moving out of your comfort zone. By nature we are creatures of habit and comfort. We get used to a certain way of approaching daily situations. Even though these patterned ways of life are the "easist" ways for us operate, staying in an easy comfortable place is not always to our advantage! Sometimes there is something we need to do or learn that can only happen when we take a risk. Of course, as the couragous people we are, we know that at any point in time, we can willfully choose to move to less comfortable territory for the sake of our growth as a humans. In this issue of the Tune-Up, we will take a look at the comfort zone and some practical ways to stretch ourselves outside of it! |
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In which areas of your life does staying in comfort and safety hold you back?
Some of us stay in comfortable but boring jobs for way too long. Others avoid uncomfortable conversations that we have long needed to have. Still others of us are not growing in important areas such as creativity or spirituality because we are too comfortable in day to day life and just don't stretch ourselves the way we could.
When we go through months and years avoiding situations that may be a bit scary or new or awkward or more tiring than usual, we are very likely missing out on so much that we could have been experiencing. The good thing is that it is never too late to get started on something new that could change your life for the better. And, moving outside of our comfort zone does not have to be a painful process. Sometimes our comfort zone is so entrenched that we don't even realize it exists. A first step could be doing some soul-searching to discover your comfort zone for different areas of your life. Here are some easy steps you can take to get started:
- Write down the following aspects of life: Work, Family, Leisure and Fun, Personal Growth, Friends, Home, Spirituality. Rate your current satisfaction on each area on a scale of 1 - 10 with 1 being the least satisfied and 10 the most satisfied. For any that came out 5 or below, journal a paragraph or two what keeps you in this sitution.
- Ask a close friend or family member about what they notice about your comfort zone. Try asking the following question: "In which areas of my life do I seem a little too comfortable?" The answer you get can be one piece of the puzzle you're trying to put together.
- Keep a log book for two days as you go through your regular routine of life. Make a note of things you do habitually, especially if they are actions or behaviors you are particuarly attatched to. After the two days, journal a paragraph or two on what your comfort zone looks like from the perspective of what came up on your log book.
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