This post goes hand in hand with an earlier post entitled Career Change: How to Find your Passion. There is always room for improvement in life and if you’re looking to make some positive change, step out of your comfort zone just a bit.
It can be a good thing when you find your comfort zone – even better to step out of it. We all like a place 
where we can feel safe. However, staying in your comfort zone will limit you. You could be missing out on opportunities without even knowing that you’re missing out!
Expand your comfort zone and you will bring a whole new world of excitement, passion, experiences, friends, financial opportunities, and knowledge into your life. Take advantage of these benefits by embracing change.
Life is full of all kinds of changes. When you get into the habit of looking for the good in every change, you become more comfortable with the idea of change itself and with the new adventures that lie ahead. With this mindset, you are more apt to be ready, willing, and able to expand your comfort zone.
Here are some effective techniques to help you break free of the limits of your comfort zone:
- Think positive. When you’re living in a bubble and your bubble breaks, you’ll most likely feel fear. When you’re scared, try to focus yourself on more positive thoughts. Rather than thinking about what could go wrong, think about what could go right. Have faith that your new opportunity will actually bring you to a more comforting place.
- Tap into your imagination. By staying where you’re familiar, are actually limiting yourself and your imagination. Instead, try to exercise your mind. Stretch yourself and envision doing things you never considered before. Take on some new activities. Invariably, you will find some new activities that you enjoy that can be added to your repertoire of experiences. They’ll become comfortable to you and will allow you to expand your comfort zone.
- Take little steps. If you go slowly and don’t take on too much too soon, you won’t have to worry about breaking that bubble. The last thing you want to do is shock yourself scared and end up running back to your bubble. Feel free to take the tiniest of steps. Remember, each step forward is just that: a step forward. They will add up to something big as long as you keep trying.
- Try something new. It doesn’t have to be anything horribly exciting. You don’t even have to have any expectations about the results. Just try something you’ve never done before. Something simple like a new restaurant or a different route to work. If you do something a bit different each day, you’ll be looking forward to your daily adventure!
- Ask for and accept help. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help, they’ll likely be there for you. They’ll be a great help to you if you’re feeling uncomfortable in a new situation. And, they may alleviate your stress while you’re expanding your comfort zone.
- Don’t be afraid to meet new people. Open yourself up to new friends and acquaintances. Strike up a couple of casual conversations with people around you. You never know when you might form a new relationship with someone. New friends will help you expand your comfort zone by bringing their friends and new ideas into your life.
There are no set rules. Your goal is to be happy with your life, right? If you happy in your comfort zone, you don’t have to expand it aggressively. However, if you stay in your own bubble, will it cause you regret because of missed opportunities? Try these simple strategies to help you grab the most that you can from life!
Making a career change does not have to be an agonizing process. Patricia Erickson discusses the ins and outs of career change in detail in her new book entitled Career Management Guide: A Practical Approach To Career Change In Any Economy.
Patricia is a highly regarded career management expert and certified professional resume writer with over twelve years of executive recruiting and coaching experience. She partners with career changers and job seekers to design strategies that transform careers. Patricia has helped clients to navigate toward their true career aspirations as well as finding purpose and personal fulfillment.