It Sounds Cliché, But Here’s Why You Should Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Posted October 12th, 2016
You’ve likely heard the advice about stepping out of your comfort zone throughout your life. It can apply to anything from what you studied in college, where you chose to work, or the foods you chose when going out to a restaurant. But that sense of it being a cliché can hide the actual importance of following the advice.
At times, being in your comfort zone is fine. Sometimes we all need an easy win, or enjoy making the go-to choice, but that path may not serve you well forever. Here are some situations where you need to be open to taking a risk.
No Job is 100% Secure
Once we become intimately familiar with a particular job or employer, it is easy to become complacent about our skills. We get used to the mechanisms we have in place, and ignore what is changing in the rest of the industry. While this is fine if you are going to continue doing the same job the same way until you retire, being able to fulfill that dream is not always in your hands.
All jobs should be seen as temporary. There is always the possibility that your current job will be lost, and being thrust into the ranks of the job seekers without the updated skills and knowledge needed to work in your field today can ensure your attendance in the unemployment line tomorrow. By seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, you are not only challenging your mind to see your working world differently than you do today, you are also better prepared should the unexpected come to pass.
Remove the Pressure of Perfection
The longer you continue with the status quo, the more judgmental you may become of your own performance. It is easy to associate longevity with perfection when it comes to how a task is accomplished. You may find yourself becoming unforgiving of small flaws, which can intensify the pressure and anxiety associated with becoming perfect.
By taking risks, you inherently agree to the idea that failure is an option. While it can be intimidating to embrace failure as a potential outcome, it can lessen the stress associated with constantly pursuing perfect results. It can also provide an opportunity to learn that you would have otherwise missed.
Limit Regrets While Encouraging Others
Many people become plagued by what-ifs throughout their lives and careers. It is easy to allow nerves to keep you from pursuing something in the moment, but that may lead to serious regrets down the road. While accepting an opportunity to try something new brings with it the risk of failure, not taking the chance is guaranteed to only have one result. Sometimes it is better to face uncertainty head on than allow yourself to be a perpetual bystander in life.
That, and your action can encourage action in others. By openly stepping outside of your comfort zone, you may inspire those around you to do the same. Within a workplace, this can create a culture that acknowledges failures for what they truly are, and opportunity to understand how not to do something. This creates an environment that thrives on learning and innovation, and is accepting of the fact that not every attempt will be a successful one, and that that is okay. Now, doesn’t that sound like the kind of place you’d like to work for?
If you are ready to step outside of your comfort zone by seeking new employment opportunities, the professional staff at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact Bayside Solutions Today!
