Getting out of your comfort zone. A quick one!

Every so often in life, we find ourselves in situations, challenges and events that may either keep us in our comfort zone, or if they require us to step out of our comfort zone, we won't end up doing them because it is challenging, scary, or even can be "hurtful".  Today I truly want to spend some time writing about these times in which our comfort zone becomes a limiting factor in us exploring all of the possibilities in our lives, and prevents us from moving forward.

Definitely out of MY comfort zone, but being in a tight spot is for most of us!

There is a great quote by Teddy Roosevelt that says:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doers of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly... Who knows great enthusiasm,s, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at his worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat"

This quote always speaks volumes to me when I am looking at a project or event in my life that I look at and say it is overwhelming, or it is a scary place to be, or I have fear, or it just seems daunting.  I would rather step into a role of giving my all to every attempt rather than sit back and watch life go by.  But this requires leaving the zone of comfort and ensuring that the things that we are doing are in accordance with our dreams, goals and being true to ourselves without fear.  Remember we have talked about fear, and what it does to us.

Fear keeps us in our comfort zone.  It is one of those things that comes into us in every situation.  I own a CrossFit gym and have recently been working with people whom have been filled with nothing but self-doubt and fear.  When I look at them with confidence and demonstrate to them they have it in them to complete an exercise or a workout, the fear starts to subside, but they always look at me as if it will be the worst experience in the world.  It is their self talk that is putting the fear or doubt in them.  This is when it is MOST important to break out of your comfort zine, to push through, to burn a little, to drive a little harder, to dream a little more, to get out of your head, to get into the mindset of I can rather than I can't, to put aside the doubts we have of ourselves and start believing in ourselves more than we ever have!  It is times like this such as at a CrossFit workout when you have to put aside what you think you know of yourself and stop existing in that comfort zone and BLOW THROUGH THE DOORS in a way in which power has never been exerted before!!!

Now think for a second if we approached life in the same way, what would you accomplish and what would you do?  What are some of the things that when you look at them, they keep you in the comfort zone?  What are some of the things you would do if you didn't know fear.  What are some of the things you could accomplish if only you could get out of that comfort zone.  What are the things that keep you "Comfortable" rather than pushing for what you want and deserve in life?  We all deserve so much out of life, but we allow ourselves to stay "Comfortable" because it is easier.  Is that what your burning desire is, to just exist and be comfortable, to be lead Rather than to lead, to continuously allow others to think for you and believe everything that is put in front of you, or do you want to question it, come up with your own ideas and challenge others to change the way they think, do you want to be one of the herd or do you want to turn and walk the other direction because you know that's what will serve your higher purpose?  It's all up to you.  If you want to progress anywhere in life, you have to grow and growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and taking your toe and dipping it in the water.  It all starts with ONE step, one toe, one moment, one action, one thought, one event.  The question is how long will you wait until you are ready, and allow yourself the challenge of getting out of the comfort zone??