The comfort zone is a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease, and secure. You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.
― Roy T. Bennett
One of my principles in life has always been to show up, especially when I don’t feel like it, because I believe that pushing myself not forcefully but gently by one inch every day is the way to accomplish things. Maybe not the fastest but the safest way for me.
I am not saying jump in the water when you don’t even know how to swim. But start with getting your feet wet. Set your goal, set a date, then reverse-engineer your steps to get there. That’s what I do when I feel intimidated by my decisions. I immediately set a date and then quickly announce it which prevents me from backing out from my commitment, and keep myself accountable, not only to myself but to others who now know about my plan.
I know it’s a scary feeling committing to do something you’re not 100% comfortable about, but if you try to keep yourself safe in that cozy environment all the time, how could you widen your horizons? How could you use your potential to the fullest?
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.
― Abraham Lincoln
More tips and tools to help you commit, show up, and succeed
In addition to what I shared with you to keep myself committed and accountable, there are five more ways to improve yourself in that department.
- Visualize Success: Take a few moments each day to visualize yourself achieving your goals. Picture the steps you need to take and the positive outcomes. This visualization technique helps reinforce your commitment and builds confidence in your abilities.
- Embrace Discipline: Cultivate discipline by developing consistent habits and routines. Create a schedule that aligns with your goals and stick to it. Practice self-discipline by staying committed, even when you face obstacles or distractions.
- Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals. Join communities or groups that share similar goals or interests. Encouragement and support from others can provide motivation, accountability, and valuable insights.
- Learn from Setbacks: Accept that setbacks and failures are part of the journey. Instead of being discouraged, view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward with resilience.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small they may seem. Rewarding yourself boosts your motivation, reinforces positive behavior, and instills a sense of progress.
You are the creator of your life. You shape the path that appears in front of you. But if you don’t push yourself a little bit, you can’t grow. Commit fiercely, believe in yourself fully, and make sure you show up. You’ll see that the rest will unfold perfectly.
Remember:
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
― Neale Donald Walsch
Before You Go
TEDx Video of the Week: The Importance of Showing Up by Natasha Koifman.
