From Fearful to Fearless: How Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone Transforms You – All of us want to live a life that is fulfilling and one where we have few regrets when we arrive in our later years. This involves making decisions now about what you want in life, making a plan of action, and then GOING FOR IT.
Usually, the part where most people stop is in the “Going for it.” They get jazzed and motivated about their dream goal but don’t take action because they are immobilized by fear caused by self-doubt. Or they make some effort toward the goal but then fade out due to the fear and doubt catching up with them.
In my BHL magazine article, Ticking Clocks and Broken Dreams (Dec 2023), I wrote about the end results when you continuously allow the discomfort of fear and doubt to control you and determine your future. It can be a place of painful regrets and sadness.
A critical key to success
We always need to remember… WE ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS. Since our thoughts determine our emotions every second of every day, it is vital that we make this distinction. Your thoughts are NOT who you are. If you don’t remember this, you will subconsciously identify yourself as being one and the same as your thoughts. Nothing can be more incorrect. Thoughts are just thoughts. They are not YOU.
Remember that the weight of regrets weighs tons compared with the weight of facing whatever fear and doubt that’s inside your head. The wisdom of Jim Rohn says the weight of facing our fear or doubts and taking action regardless “weighs ounces compared with the weight of regret which weighs TONS.” Think about this.
Slay the dragon
When you are thinking about a valued goal that you really want but suddenly get stuck by thoughts of fear or self-doubt, remember you are NOT your thoughts or emotions. Therefore, you are NOT the fear and self-doubt. That is not the core of who you are or who you’ve come to this planet to be.
You are a wondrous, limitless, and unique gift of the divine, and your birthright IS to live a life of fulfillment and happiness!
The DANGER of your comfort zone
Your comfort zone is where you play “small.” You stay within the boundary of your self-created fear and doubt and don’t venture out to try what’s been calling inside you. Unfortunately, this is where thousands of people spend the majority of their lives. When we hear the phrase “stepping outside your comfort zone,” it simply means that you are taking a mental pause to face whatever the fear or self-doubt is in your head. (Maybe take some time to journal about it.) Then, ask yourself two questions: what has this fear and self-doubt cost me so far in terms of going for my dreams and having a fulfilling life, and what will it cost me if I continue to allow it to control me.?
When you choose to step outside this zone, you are saying to these thoughts…”I hear what you’re trying to convince me of, but I’m not buying it, and I’m going for my life’s fulfillment regardless.!”
One small step
It is through challenges that we grow. So, accept the challenge of stepping outside your comfort zone (which has kept you stifled) and go for the GROWTH. All that’s required is taking one small step at a time. Just one. Do one small thing today that will bring you one step closer to what you want. Then, do one small thing tomorrow. Slash through the lies of doubt that try to disrupt you. Just keep going forward. You will quickly start to gain confidence and self-esteem by doing this, which will, in turn, fuel your forward progression.
Don’t allow fear and or self-doubt to win. DON’T allow them to steal the happiness you deserve and rob you of your dreams. They are not true, and they are definitely not the wondrous, limitless being that you are!
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