When was the last time you did something that totally scared the light out of you? Well, if you can’t remember. Then how about this. When did you last do something that is totally new to you and you have no idea how to do it, but you did it anyway? If you could not recall this either. Then perhaps ask yourself, how long have you been stuck in your comfort zone? Or perhaps the better question would be, would you like to step out of your comfort zone?
But I’m so comfortable where I am…
Right, of course, you are comfortable. That’s exactly what the name implies. But what you don’t know is, this is also a place where there is no growth, no improvement, and decay. I’m sorry to use the word decay, but when you are comfortable, you stop honing your skills, and you stop using them they will deteriorate, in any form of existence.
The comfort zone tricks you into believing that you will be safe and comfortable within. But you are NOT. That’s because while you are idling, in your safe comfort zone, others are striving forward in improving themselves. And what that leaves you? When you realize that this is a false haven, you could be left with a mountain to climb. So step out of your comfort zone now, because if you don’t do it, life will keep pushing you anyway.
And if you decide to step out of your comfort zone,
Act right now. You have to act more and think less. You have to keep pushing yourself, learning new skills that would serve you in the future. You have to talk yourself into doing things that you dreaded but you knew will help in your progress. And you have to think LESS. Why? Because you want to keep your mind from the whispering doubts, and fear. Don’t let overthinking pulls you back.
It is better to try something new and fail than regret not taking the chances in life. This is what getting out of the comfort zone is all about. It is natural for you to feel insecure as you step into uncharted territories. But if you are willing to work it out, you would master it eventually. You have to take the first step.
The best way to Learn is to Keep Doing
If you want to try public speaking just do it. Or you 
want to take up web programming, learn guitar, arts, switching into sales, be a blogger. You have to take action. And taking action means you have to put both feet out of your comfort zone. Set your intention and just do it. And do it consistently.
Again you asked, “But I don’t know where to start”. I agree you need knowledge. You can learn some of it through resources but you learn MOST of it through taking action. “But I am not good enough“.Of course, you are not. But you get better by doing and learning.
Venturing into something new is scary, Yes. Why? Because you do not have the knowledge needed. And you need to learn. The best way of learning is NOT googling all over the search engine on this new thing you want to try
If you’re doing that, you need to break out of the fear and doubt that is pulling you back. And the best way I’ve known to learn something is by DOING, by taking action. And learning comes in the form of experience. Whether you fail or succeed in your initial attempt, you are guaranteed to learn something.
And Growth is found OUT of Comfort Zone
If you keep stepping out of your comfort zone, doing, failing and learning. 3 or 6 months later, you look back to where you started and what do you notice? Growth, growth, and growth. What you once thought impossible, you are doing it right now. And how did you do it? By taking baby steps one at a time. By putting your doubts and fear away. And if you need further inspiration, check out this video below :
So what are you still waiting for? Get uncomfortable. Do, learn and grow now. It could be the very thing that leads you to your success. So step out of your comfort zone now.
What has staying in the comfort zone caused you? How did you force your way out? Do share your experience in the comment below.
What a superb article on quitting your comfort zone. Too many people these days like to do the things they are familiar with and are not risk takers. These Are definitely not the ‘when the going gets tough the tough get going’ types of individuals. Myself I like to abide by the saying ‘Carpe Diem’ meaning ‘Seize the Day’ and look for opportunities for self advancement.
Jim
James,
Thanks for reading and sharing your message as well. We could either sit idling counting our days or we could take action right now. And I’m glad we both share the right view.
Kenny
What an awesome post!! Definitely will be taking action. Quit’n the comfort zone..! It’s a message that needs re-reading once in awhile .. thankyou
You’re welcome. There is definitely no growth in the comfort zone.
Hi Kenny,
I just have read a post on Facebook before reading your post that said something like ‘Do you want to make your life happen, or you want your life just happen to you?’ And you continue being a prisoner of your circumstances, and just react to what happens? So reading your blog post was like a continuation of a topic that I spotted earlier.
Comfort Zone can be scary, but ONLY by closing one door we will be able to OPEN another one. Taking action and emerging in the unknown indeed is the best way to do it, as this way we don’t have time to think and fear, as that can be a killer to stepping out of our comfort zone. So the way I always try to step out of my comfort zone is by emerging 100 percent in that new scary but exciting opportunity to change!
Hi Joanna,
You are right in the sense that we can either choose comfort zone or the path of growth and learning. Comfort zone breeds complacency and in the end deny us from achieving our full potential and success.
Kenny
Great post. Very well written. This make a lot of sense. When you’re always in your comfort zone you never try anything new. You need to think outside of the box if you want success in your life.This is where all of the best ideas come from.
Keep up the good work. You’re doing a great job on your site.
Hannah.
Hannah,
Thank you for reading and your compliment. Blogging and writing out my ideas are once something that I would never have done.
Kenny
Hi Kenny Lee
Excellent post! “If you want to learn keep doing” this sentence captured my attention. I believed, even you don’t know how to do this, that or anything but if you keep going for sure one day you’ll succeed. We will achieved everything if we going out in our comfort zone and learned some more. Thanks for sharing! Have a nice day!
Cheers
Eric
Eric,
Yes. Remember when we are kids, we will even want to run before we can walk. And falling down does not deter us. And we often outgrew ourselves. Until a certain age, where fear set us firmly in the comfort zone. Time to break out. Thanks for reading.
Kenny
Top post! Seriously!
I am not sure when or why but, bettering myself and doing new things and wanting to achieve is something that I feel that I must do, so thank you for this article and the video at the end…I will have to stream more of them on Spotify.
Josh, I’m glad that the post and video inspired you. Feel free to share along.
Kenny
What a great article, and I really loved the video you included. It was very moving and motivating. I strive every day to get outside of my comfort zone. I know the only path to growth leads outside of it. My philosophy has always been, if you are not growing, you are dying. I choose growth and life! Thank you so much for sharing this great message!
Sue,
You are right, it’s either growing or going the other way round, There is no status quo, the moment we stop, we are on the back foot. Let’s keep pushing on.
Kenny
Hey Kenny,
Reading your article really helped me a lot. I really like the fact that you say that success comes from the mind.
I completly agree that you have to set your mind and get out of your comfort zone to succeed.
What books do you recommend me that will teach me how to get out of my comfort zone and succeed?
Hi Emmanuel,
Sometimes when you have tried many different ways and get the same result, we ought to question ourselves. Is it our own mindset or way of thinking that gives us the same result.
I would recommend The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level if you would like a good book to break out of your comfort zone.
Kenny.
I’ve always been told from an early age that life begins outside of your comfort zone. To this day, I still believe those are some of the best words of advice I’ve ever been told. It can be compared to a rubber band. Once you stretch a rubber band far enough, it will never go back. Once you begin to stretch yourself outside of your comfort, you will never go back to the person you were before.
Hi Mike,
I like your analogy of getting out of your comfort zone is like stretching a rubber band. But to make it lost it’s elasticity and not returning to its form, there is a threshold you need to cross. Same like we getting out of comfort zone. Initially there is a tendency to return to being comfortable. It is important not to succumb to the temptation, else all will go to waste. Thanks for reading.
Kenny.
This is a really great site on getting one to get out of their comfort zone. I know so many people who are resistent to change and prefer the status quo, myself included. I hate to admit that, but I have become too complacent as I get older. If you’re too comfortable and set in your ways, then life becomes boring. Maybe some people prefer that, but I’ve come to the point in my life that I want to live more and experience more. I saw someone mention ‘Carpe Diem’ in an earlier comment. Funny enough, that was the motto at my high school. I think it’s about time that I made some changes in my life, so thank you for giving me the kick start that I need.
Hi Shawn,
We all have the tendency to slip back into our comfort zone, especially as we grew older. Perhaps we fear taking risk. But slipping back in our comfort zone is a bigger risk. All the best in getting uncomfortable in learning and growing again. Let’s step out of it. “Carpe Diem”
Kenny.
Really great article. Its inspiring to get up and do something. I used to force myself out of my comfort zone, especially at work, and there wasnt one time that I didnt regret it. Somehow I got a benefit out of it, whether it is to build a contact or to learn something new, it was worth it.
Hi Ninene,
Indeed the path of growth and learning is getting out of comfort zone. I’m glad you forced yourself out of it. Else you will be missing out.
Kenny.
Wow! That was powerful and inspirational! It made me see some of the shortcomings I put up with and instead need to throw them away and find replacements for them that embody positivity. We all have something that holds us back in some aspect of life and until we take the first step, nothing will change for the better. Thanks!
Hi Robert,
Getting out of comfort zone is a process that we should repeat over and over again. When we try something new, we get familiar and it become our new comfort zone. We have to be particularly aware of that. Thanks for reading.
Kenny
Kenny, great article! Being naturally shy, I am always trying to stay in my comfort zone and avoid being in the spotlight. But I found as I’ve gotten older that with risk comes reward, so I’ve made a concerted effort to always push my comfort zone. By doing this, my life changed immensely. I have never regretted stepping out of my comfort zone. As a matter of fact, those moments have been the best of my life.
Thank you for your article! I hope that you connect with many and change lives.
Cheers, Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Well done to you for breaking out of your comfort zone. I’m sure it brought you great adventure and memories. That’s always what happened to me when I venture out of the familiar path.
Kenny
Perfect post but guess majority of people just stay in their comfort zone, they are familiar with it and let others take the risk.
Hi Fedor,
I suppose that would be the case. But that should not stop us from taking the initiatives ourselves.
Kenny.
This could really be applied to so many different areas in life. For me, and I’m sure man others, its just so much easier to just make a couple good friends and chill out at the status-quo. I’ve been finding though that it helps to have at least one good friend who is really outgoing because he gets me to try new things (I’m a bit of an introvert) Thanks for the great article!
Sam,
It’s great when we have friends who keep pushing each other to grow and go further. The positive energy is contagious. I too am an introvert but it has no reason for us not to grow.
Kenny.
Great post Kenny! I think the first step is always the hardest one. No matter what the step is for, we are creatures of habit, and being stuck in our old ways is what we want. Excellent and well written post. Thanks!
Pete,
Consistency and willpower will break any bad habit we have blocking our growth. Thanks for reading.
Kenny
So true how we don’t grow if we don’t leave our comfort zone. Everyone thinks fear is bad but fear is good because it’s proof that you are about to leave your comfort zone. Its proof that you are growing.
Leaving your comfort zone is the #1 way of smashing limiting beliefs which are holding you back, changing your reality and changing your life. We should all do at least 1 thing a day to leave our comfort zone.
Matt,
Totally agree. There are two type of fear. One that keeps us physically safe from harm. The second one keep us from achieving our full potential. It is vital that we overcome the second one. Thanks.
Kenny
Amazing article Kenny.
Getting out of your comfort zone is not an easy task. Myself I was pretty comfortable in my home town after I graduated school.
But to just get out of this comfort zone I booked a trip to Canada for 3 months. Those 3 months have turned into 5 years and I’m so happy where I am now.
After doing that it now feels like there is nothing that I’m uncomfortable with. Got rid off a lot of the anxiety after you realized that you can actually do things that you haven’t done before.
It’s usually when you leave your comfort zone that you find your true passions. Thanks a lot for inspiring information
Marcus,
Glad you took the step out. We’ll never know where our path will lead us too. What we are sure is there is a wealth of experience to be gained.
Kenny
Yes, exactly!
My fears have always been not understanding the technical knowledge I’ll need for starting a blog or producing e-books…..
I think each of us has some form of special knowledge to contribute, and , yes, I believe you are right, we do destroy our original idea by overthinking it, seeing a mountain of things coming at us, instead of charting a course out of it, one step at a time, noting our problems, charting a way to get a solution, and then continuing…..
Thanks for this helpful blog!
Greetings
Therese
Hi Therese,
Often we are the obstacle of our own progress. Only by taking action, failing, trying and repeating again and again could we achieve the growth that we wanted.
Kenny