Don't Let Your Comfort Zone Hold You Back

One Friday evening I decided I wanted to get an outfit; instead of going to the regular stores I shop in I decided to try a different one. I choose a high end store instead. I was a little curious as to what goes on in there and how much the clothes would cost. Of all days to go on this "adventure", I choose a day when I was wearing no make-up and dressed pretty casually. 

On getting into the shop, I almost broke into sweats. The shop was really high end and the ladies in there looked nothing like me; they all looked like they had come out of a fashion magazine and the cost of the clothes added extra pressure. Oh my goodness!! I thought, Christiana, why of all days did you decide to come here. It was obvious I was out of my comfort zone. After a moment of self-hijack and giving myself a little talk I got my act together and started walking around with a sense of importance. I even asked the glamorous looking sales assistants some questions. I eventually left the store without buying anything (lol) but it was a lesson in living outside my comfort zone.

So often we stay where it’s comfortable; our jobs, our friends, the choices we make etc (which is ok to an extent), but if we are going to grow and make progress we would need to stretch ourselves periodically. Don’t stay at a job that utilises just your skill set, look for jobs that stretch and challenge you. Jobs that bring out skills you didn’t think you possess. Look for relationships that constantly bring out the best in you. Those relationships that reaffirm your strengths and support you to go for more. In other words: don’t aim low and hit it, aim high and stretch yourself to hit it. Only a position like that will enable you grow and grow and grow and grow (you get the picture).

In order to bring a baby into the world, a mother has to push real hard. She goes into a place beyond herself to bring this little miracle into the world. In the same vein if you constantly want to grow and fully live out your potential, if you want to make progress, you constantly have to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone and take challenges that are fun but also stretch you to give birth to more.

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