The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

What if I told you I’d give you $1,000 to make an important public speech? Would you take the offer? Or would you, like many individuals, immediately recoil at the idea, even though it could be lucrative for you. Why doesn’t this idea appeal to you?

When the very thought of certain activities evokes fear or anxiety within you, it’s often because they’re outside your comfort zone. Public speaking, for example, is outside most people’s comfort zone.

Your comfort zone is the sphere of activities that you feel comfortable with and that you can accomplish without negative emotions. It is defined as a “psychological state in which a person feels familiar, at ease, in control and experiences low anxiety and stress.”

How important is your comfort zone?

In many ways, although your comfort zone may provide some safety boundaries. it can also limit your capacity, causing you to forsake your dreams and goals.

In fact, your comfort zone can determine both your personality and your potential for success. Many successful people achieve their goals because they have the ability to expand their comfort zones in order to get what they want. If you wish to expand your comfort zone, you can mentally condition yourself to be comfortable in new or unusual situations.

By doing this regularly you learn to overcome your anxiety to achieve your goals and fulfil your dreams.

So what can you do to expand your comfort zone and get over your anxiety about certain situations? Here are a few things to consider.

First, you must get a grip on your mindset. Understanding or even resetting your mindset is critical. Everything that you do or fail to do is based on your mental conditioning, which plays a major role in developing your comfort zone. This means that how we form our comfort zones begins in our own mind.

Each of us has preconceived notions of what may or may not be comfortable and we designate mental guidelines to keep us within our zone.

The second key point is to recognise that you alone have chosen or defined the lines of your comfort zone. It is you that set your boundary lines. Knowing where your lines are is the first step to expanding them.

Another great point – be willing to break some of your own self-imposed rules. Too often we get stuck in a self-imposed prison waiting for someone else to break us free. When in truth, you are the sole overseer; only you can set you free. Expanding your comfort zone is like orchestrating your own personal prison break. Where you give yourself permission to seek new experiences that can bring you greater success.

Be responsible and consider the true risk of each situation. It’s important to know the truth about what the risks really are, as opposed to what you feel (or fear) may occur. Knowing the difference can enable you to overcome your limitations. Finally, challenge yourself to challenge yourself by switching up your status quo. Many times we are our own worst enemies and we often give up on ourselves before we even try. Yet lying deep within you there is unlimited power to breakthrough to a new fearless you.

Leader to leader, remember by stepping outside of your comfort zone you discover new possibilities to take your life to higher heights.

Make today the day that you liberate yourself from the prison of your comfort zone. In so doing, you muster the audacity to live an empowered life.

• What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770.

Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach and leadership expert. Visit www.michellemmiller.com or send mail to PO Box CB-13060.