Has it ever occurred to you that you can actually taste your comfort and/or discomfort zones? It is a kind of smell that gives you the hint of what is coming ahead…whether it will be easy to deal with or will that situation require you to make an effort that may not be quite to your liking…
Your thoughts are linked to your feelings and your feelings give rise to your actions. Based on what you sense, your body formulates its own unique response.
For instance, whenever I feel I am entering a stressful zone, my neck becomes a little stiff. An uneasy day often results in lack of sleep for me. By paying attention to your body, you will in all likelihood notice the signals about your feelings, probably even before you acknowledge those feelings.
For almost 12 years of my professional life I was associated with a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and life revolved around the industry and township. Even the thought of moving out was anathema because life was so laid back. The stillness of a small town, the easy life, the sense of belonging – all of these to me were the quicksand that sucked me in the moment I dreamt of something different.
Just as our comfort zones give us comfort and providing peace, they can also act as barriers to our growth. They stagnate you. New experiences are born in the discomfort zone. True lessons are learnt through failures and failures make way for success.
Often, we find it difficult to think of the big picture because we are so used to short term plans. These short-term plans are a consequence of our current comfort zone. In all probability, they have the same environment as of today. There is familiarity and even déjà vu! Why would one ever want to get into a war zone when there is serenity and calmness around?
It is precisely because everything is now settled and calm that one must seek new adventures! New adventures are born from daring to take that different route. They make their entry when you let go of the cozy life you have so far been leading. Now, adventures never follow a linear pattern. There are ups and downs; it is pretty much a roller coaster ride! You may have to tighten your seat belt for this one!
How do you even prepare yourself for such an exhilarating trip? When comfort envelopes us like our favorite childhood blanket, it literally shuts the door to any new experience; especially one that has the potential of creating upheaval in your current state of mind.
Numerous researches show that people who just dream about a bright future hardly achieve that dream. In contrast, those who visualise the obstacles/barriers to achieving their dreams and then put in place a plan to overcome them, are the most successful. There are no free lunches! You have to work and sweat your way up.
When you take charge of your own self and your mind and are determined to create new experiences for yourself, you will no longer need the crutch of a comfort zone. The unknown and the unseen may seem daunting in the beginning, but as you move along, you will realize the depth of your own untapped potential.
Welcome the unknown. Embrace your fears. Conquer and flourish! Your comfort zone is your biggest enemy. You need to shake yourself out from its trap. Now!
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Senior Practitioner (Mentoring) from the European Council of Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC), Sarita specializes in career transition, inner engineering and life issues. Sarita enjoys writing and is passionate about animals, books, and movies.
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