As coaches and consultants, one thing we have in common across the board is that we are always telling or clients that if they want to succeed (no matter what the topic is) they must step outside of their comfort zone.
And yet…
Many coaches and consultant are great at dishing out this very sage advice, but not so great as taking it themselves!
Why is that?
The adage goes “Every coach needs a coach.” It’s true. We may be amazing at helping out clients scale their way to success, and yet when we think about working on our own stuff, we fall into the very trap that we are continually talking our clients out of.
It is human nature to stay safe.
The things we know already, good, and bad, provide us comfort because they are known and understood. So, we keep doing the same things over and over again expecting a different result (I believe that is the definition of insanity.)
I get it. Taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone inherently seems scary…. but what if you shifted your mindset and decided to love the unknown?
Here are a few really good reasons to learn to love the unknown.
- All real growth happens outside your comfort zone: Real growth—both personal and professional—happens when you push yourself beyond the familiar. This could be exploring a new market in your industry that could possibly change the trajectory of your business.
- All innovation requires some risk: In order to stay competitive in the coaching and consulting industry means you need to be constantly evolving. This almost always involves taking risks. Maybe you are looking to grow your business to the next level, and you are contemplating hiring your first outside employee. Maybe you have listened to your audience, and they want a program that you do not yet offer – so you decide to create it.
- When you step outside your comfort zone, you build resilience. The more you practice being comfortable with the uncomfortable, the better you become at handling adversity.
The possibilities are endless – but only if you choose to step outside and check them out.
Learn How to Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
- Set Stretch Goals: These are the goals that force you to think outside the box. Create goals that are challenging yet achievable.
- Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Redefine your failure mindset. Failures are awesome! Failures teach you what does not work so you can get closer to what does work. As Thomas Edison said ““I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
- Ask others for feedback and act on it: Asking for feedback, real constructive feedback, can be uncomfortable. Ask anyway. This feedback can be invaluable. Chat with clients, colleagues, peers, and mentors. Use it to refine your services and enhance your business strategies.
- Start networking outside of your circle: We all get comfortable in certain groups. Do some research and find some new networking groups for your industry. Join online groups and forums to start connecting with potential new clients and collaborators.
- Invest in yourself: Continuously invest in your own growth. Whether it’s through courses, workshops, or reading, expanding your knowledge and skills will keep you ready for new challenges.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is a continuous journey. When you learn to love the unknown, amazing things will begin happening for you and your business.
So….are you going to keep playing it safe or are you going to take a step out into the unknown and discover just how amazing you really can be?
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If you feel like you are stuck in your comfort zone with no way out, click here and let’s have a chat. No obligation…just a quick chat to see if I can help you get unstuck and moving on your way.
