Get out of your Comfort Zone
We all know what our comfort zone is and our reasons for not wanting to leave that safe place. For me, it is my fear of making a mistake or looking funny to others. For others, it might be a lack of confidence, support from others, or no desire to do something new and scary. Whatever the reason, what are we missing out on by staying in our comfort zone and how do we get out of it?
I am far from an expert on advising how to get out of your comfort zone. However, what I can tell you is the benefit of having done it myself. In 2007, I worked for a hospital whose main physician group filed a certificate of need to open an ambulatory surgery center. That might not sound like a big deal now, but it was then. Essentially, the surgery center would have siphoned off all the privately insured patients leaving my hospital with lower-paying governmental payers. As the CFO, I was asked to speak at the public hearing on the topic. I did not want to do this for two reasons. First, it was high profile as the hearing would be covered by the press, and I would be speaking in front of a large group of people. Second, I would be citing the financial impact on the hospital, and I was worried there would be a mistake computing that impact. However, I did not have a choice. I checked my numbers multiple times, put on my best black suit, high heels, and white blouse, and did it. I survived. What that experience taught me was that I was fully capable of doing something I was afraid of, and it paved the way for me to be comfortable speaking in front of small and large groups. I went on later in life to address a Bentley graduating class at its Baccalaureate without thinking twice about it.
As it relates to my fear of looking funny to others, I have multiple examples. In my early 40s, I decided to take my first ballet class. I loved to watch ballet and thought, why not? It was a traditional ballet class, and we wore leotards, tights, etc. At the end of every class, we practiced proceeding across the floor doing various types of jumps. I was awkward, heavy on my feet, and not graceful. After the first class, when I realized that people would stop and watch us through the window, I wanted to quit. What would they think of me? But despite feeling funny, I went back because I liked the experience of practicing ballet. Had I not, I would have deprived myself of that experience. The people watching were likely not judging but thinking, “You go girl!” There are many instances still where I worry about looking funny to others, but I just push that feeling down and keep going.
Work hard to get out of your comfort zone, no matter what it is or why you are there. Yep, you might screw up or look funny, but you likely will build some muscles that will allow you to do things in the future that you never thought you would.