The Importance of Expanding Your Comfort Zone

By Anthony D. Carter

Why is it that when we are called on to speak before a crowd for the first time we get nervous? For some the mere thought of speaking in front of a roomful of people brings about fear to the point of near paralysis.

The reason for this fear stems from a lack of experience sharing our thoughts with so many people at one time.

When we have never had to share our thoughts with a large group of people it is a daunting task. We are putting ourselves at a risk emotionally. What if they disapprove of what we have to say? And of course we don’t want to sound stupid. We also don’t want to be embarrassed if we make a mistake.
Public Speaking is but one act that typically falls outside of most peoples’ comfort zone.

Why is your comfort zone important? It is important because your comfort zone sets the limit on your performance. It also determines which goals you will go after and which ones you will not go after. Your comfort level also determines the intensity with which you will go after those goals.

It’s normal to experience stress and anxiety when attempting something new. However after you have set your goals and you are striving to hit them that stress and anxiety must be overcome. Otherwise you will become stuck. You will not move past that point on your journey to obtaining what it is that you want.

The size of your comfort zone determines your potential for experiencing success. Successful people hit the big goals in their lives because they are constantly expanding their zone of comfort in order to get the things that they want.

When I was hampered by shyness I thought I could not talk to people. This kept me limited. There were certain jobs that I wanted but I could not do because I was not willing to get out of my comfort zone. I was not willing to learn and apply the necessary people skills that would lead me to success. I did not do what was necessary because I was scared.

As long as I let that fear of talking to people stop me I was stuck in a job that I did not like. Once I fought through my fears I got the jobs that I wanted.

If you wish to have more in life practice stretching yourself so that you are OK moving into areas that cause you to grow. Work to become comfortable in new situations. That way you are not stopped by nervousness as strive to hit your goals and obtain your dreams.