Why leaving your comfort zone is not the solution to all problems, but only sweat, blood and tears

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The worst advice you can give a person is to immediately leave your comfort zone, says businessman and author of the book Massive Life Success Dariy Forox. Lifehacker publishes a translation of his thoughts on this matter.

I love my comfort zone. For me, this is the place where real miracles happen. In my comfort zone, family, friends, work, music, books, movies, a bicycle, a gym, a park - there are just many. Everything I love. And in this safe place, I am more open to new things and risks.

I have never believed in the idea that is portrayed in the form of a stupid drawing:

As if miracles only happen when you step outside your comfort zone. But this is ridiculous. They also happen when we are in it. Why is comfort zone considered bad? Why is she always depicted as a small pathetic circle next to a large circle of "magic"?

Of course, I am with all my hands for promoting myself, trying new things, moving forward, growing and so on. But unlike many popular self-help coaches and coaches, I don't believe comfort zones are bad.

You can call me a pessimist or a stoic. But I am an ordinary practical person. Therefore, I do not believe that success will immediately come when you leave your comfort zone. I believe in moving slowly towards "magic."

Where are these miracles that people constantly talk about?

I found that I had done my best work, made new friends, visited new places when I was not worried about money.

But don't get me wrong. I am not saying that I want to always stay put. Stagnation is a death sentence for me.

I believe there are different periods in life. Sometimes you need to take your time, work on your skills, your character - invest in yourself. And sometimes you have to go out and try your luck. Life is too short to be afraid. But these two periods are interconnected.

If you don't work on yourself, if you lack self-confidence, you can never take risks.

For years I have wanted to do what I am doing now. But instead of running out of my comfort zone (it was scary), I gradually took on new and more challenging challenges.

First, I received two business degrees. Then I started my own business with my father. In 2010, after two years of working in my company six or seven days a week, I started taking marketing jobs for freelance. After freelancing for several years, opening and closing several other businesses of my own, I got a job at a consulting and research firm because I wanted to know what it was like to work for a large corporation. And after working there for a year and a half, I finally decided to write about productivity, career, and entrepreneurship on the Internet.

That is, I have been doing what I am writing about for more than 10 years. And even now I do not have answers to all questions - I just share my knowledge and experience.

So it would be just ridiculous if I listened to people who shout at every corner, “If you want to be successful, all you have to do is get out of your comfort zone. Immediately!"

So, have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone? Even if you had some savings in your account. And what did you find there? Leprechaun with a bag of money? Nothing like this.

This idea of the comfort zone is just a fairy tale. She may motivate some people, but you don't have to if you don't want to. A similar story: if you want to be successful, you have to get up early. Who invented this?

I believe otherwise: there is simply more work waiting for you when you step out of your comfort zone. There is no magic, no magic. Only sweat, blood and tears.

Think your way out of your comfort zone

I think most people who read articles like this want to achieve something. Maybe you want to quit your job to start your own business, develop it, become an artist, write a book, or do something else.

And you most likely understand that it is not so easy. So why do you want to complicate your life by doing things that make you feel uncomfortable?

Instead, start over from the beginning. Build a solid foundation. Build your comfort zone before doing anything that scares you.

What should be the foundation

If you want to live stress-free, you'll need enough savings in case things don't go as planned. For example, so that you can live a normal life and not starve for the next six months. Let this be your security system.

Calculate your spending and decide how much you need to save for yourself. And don't even think about taking risks until you have money in your savings account.

In addition, you will need a set of useful skills. One of the reasons I’m not worried about money is because I’m confident that even if I go broke tomorrow, I can find a job the next day. I have invested years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in my education.

The question is: what can you do? What benefits can you give to the world? What problems can you solve?

A few more things strengthen your foundation, make it perfect:

• A family. If you don't have a family, start one.
• Friends. You cannot be friends with everyone. Hold on to a few people who are holding on to you.
• You yourself. Consciously improve your body and your mind.

Finally, don't try to be who you are not. If you're an introvert, don't pretend to be able to work as a team. If you're an extrovert, don't pretend you can work alone.

Stick to your principles. There is no point in looking for problems for yourself if it makes your life unhappy.

After all, we all need comfort. This is one of the basic needs of any person. But we also need growth. So don't sit in your comfort zone for too long.

Try to move forward every day. Even in very small steps. There is no magic. Only your strength.