Growth and success lie outside your comfort zone

“If you’re too comfortable, its time to move on. Terrified of what’s next? You’re on the right track.” — Susan Fales

I totally agree with this view. When I look back on my professional career, I realize that most of my growth and learning came from projects or roles that I dreaded. Once we settle into a particular role or routine, inertia sets in and we get into a comfort zone. We tend to leverage skills that we already possess, to do work that we are accustomed to. In fact, we get so good at our work that it doesn’t even require our complete focus. So, if we continue to do this over long periods of time, how do we expect to grow?

When you look around you, at successful people and their stories, you would see that they took risks, faced challenges head on, they failed, they endured discomfort and pain, but they emerged stronger and successful. The reason is that whenever they had to step out of their comfort zone, they had to learn something new, they had to wade through ambiguity, acquire mental strength and fortitude. They literally grew as people, so professional growth and success followed.

Take a minute to assess yourself. When was the last time you made a change in your work, in life, in your routine? When was the last time you got a thrill from trying something new? It is a good idea to evaluate yourself once every few months to determine if you have pursued anything new. It need not be a major change. Even a tiny step in a new direction is enough to get you started. Here’s what I would do.

Pick up a challenging assignment: Volunteer for a cause that is close to your heart or pick up a challenging assignment at work. Pick a project that you wouldn’t normally choose because it is too challenging or complex. You may face extreme pressure and discomfort in the assignment, you may end up doing an average job, but you will certainly learn and grow in the process. And people who matter, will understand and appreciate your effort.

Acquire a new skill: Whether it is to up skill yourself for career opportunities or to discover your own talents, do keep learning. A friend of mine learned how to paint during her late 30s. And she turned out to be extremely good at it. It was almost like unearthing a treasured talent that lay dormant within her. She now pursues painting as an active hobby. It wins her so many accolades and helps her relax. It is never too late to discover your unique talents and strengths.

Build your network: Research says that the company we keep, influences our attitude, exposure and outlook. Meeting new people and forging new relationships is a great way to gain exposure. Every new person you meet, has the potential to teach you something or challenge an existing belief. No wonder networking is considered critical to success and satisfaction!

Face your fears: Each one of us has a few things we avoid doing since they make us uncomfortable. By avoiding such things, we give them power over us. Take back your power by facing your fears head-on. If you’re afraid of public speaking, create opportunities to speak. It will no doubt be difficult initially, but once you master it, the satisfaction will be incredible. So, identify your fears and conquer them.

I always tried to take on complex roles and assignments and it has resulted in immense exposure and learning. After a successful corporate career of 17 years, I recently quit my job to become an entrepreneur. It was a move that shook me out of my comfort zone. As I build my start-up, I find myself unsure and uncomfortable at times. However, I have learnt more in the past few months, than I could have learned over a few years in a corporate job!

So, go ahead and test your self-imposed limits. Let me leave you with one of my favourite quotes:

“Life begins outside your comfort zone” — Neale Donald Walsch