The ‘known’ is comfortable; it’s non-threatening; you know what to expect. That’s why you find yourself repeating the same actions (and often the same mistakes) over and over again. On the surface you may express a need to change; to move forward; to take a risk. But on the inside the real fear that can accompany the challenge of something new keeps you in the hamster-wheel of comfortable repetition.
If you want your business to be more successful you have to challenge the ‘known’ – to take on projects that push you out of your comfort zone and into doing something new.
So here are six ways to challenge yourself out of your comfort zone:
1. Let Go of Perfectionism
“I want it to be perfect” is often a mask for procrastination. Procrastination is the thief of action. Perfection should be the aim in everything you do, but settle for excellence (or sometimes, good is good enough) and just start doing
2. Leave No Room For Regret
“If only…” are probably two of the saddest words in the English language. My clients know what I mean when I say JF*DI. How will you know if something will work if you don’t give it a go – or give it a chance to go wrong?
3. Become More Self-Aware
we are our own worst enemies; the easiest person you can fool is yourself. Get to know yourself, get to know your patterns of behaviour so that you can consciously work to change those behaviours that hold you back from a challenge
4. Take Control
you must be aware of exactly what is going on with you and around you. I have lost count of the number of people I have spoken to who have let slip the control on many of the basic aspects of their life or their business.
5. Create a Plan That Is Unique To You
it is great to get inspiration from others, but when it comes down to creating a plan for your business it has to be unique and specific to you. Attempting to shoe-horn yourself and your attitudes and behaviours into someone else’s way of doing things just won’t work. You need to develop your own planning and working methods
6. Don’t Rely On Your Own Resources; Get Help!
doing things on your own can be difficult. You may have an idea but not the skills, expertise or knowledge that will allow you to achieve it. Also, it can be really tiring constantly relying on your own abilities and mental resources. So, get yourself some help. This could be in the form of a mentor who will work with you as a sounding-board, a guide and often the kick up the b*m that is needed from time to time; or it could be the practical hands-on help of someone with a set of skills you don’t have or don’t want to learn.
Next Steps?
If you’re unsure about how to implement any of the suggestions I have made in this article, why not take advantage of my free, half-hour mentoring session?
What have you got to lose?