How to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

When is the last time you felt uncomfortable yet stepped outside of your comfort zone? I’m talking about experiencing emotions like fear, anxiety, uncertainty, or self-doubt but doing what had to be done anyway? Experiencing these emotions can be very uncomfortable but when you step out of your comfort zone and put yourself in a situation where you experience challenges, you have the opportunity to trust God with your situation.

Let’s start with an example. Christina had the opportunity to promote her business by being a speaker at a business organization, but she is terrified of public speaking. To think of standing up in front of about 50 strangers, telling her story makes her feel faint. Still, she had been praying for opportunities to grow her company and felt this was a response to her prayers for her business. So she accepted the invitation.

Christina decided to see this as a challenge to trust God and break out of her comfort zone. So she wrote out her talk and practiced with her family. On the day of the event, she was still shaking in her heels. But she delivered a great talk that was well accepted by the audience. She had pushed past her fears to grow to a new level in her professional life.

Stepping out of her comfort zone helped Christina build her confidence as a Christian business woman and her faith that God was there to help her in every type of situation she faced in her work life.

The benefits are tremendous but taking that step to move out of your comfort zone isn’t always so easy. Here are a few tips to help:

1. Pray for It!

Start by making your requests known to the Lord. When you face challenges that take your breath away, remember this could be the very opportunity you need to move to the next step in your business growth. Without challenges that take farther along in life you will not advance. The Lord knows what you need so ask Him to support you as you step out in faith.

2. Plan for It!

To move forward with confidence do the right planning. List the things that need to be done and set your goals. For example, maybe you also feel terrified of public speaking but you know you could reach a wider audience for your business by holding seminars and workshops. Maybe you want to write a book but are afraid of bad reviews and ridicule. Make a list and then start at the top. Create a plan to tackle each terrifying goal. Each step you take will help you feel more confident and secure.

3. Work for It!

Christina had an easier time delivering her talk because she worked on it prior to the event. She didn’t just try to “wing it” which would be more terrifying than ever. Once you make your plans and set your goals start working towards the results you want to happen. Practice as much as possible. Write the words on paper. Decide to create a new product or have a sale. Find support to help you move forward. It might be a friend, family member or business coach. In fact, business coaches are exceptional resources for pushing you into areas where you don’t feel comfortable and confident. It’s their job to help you grow.

In life and in business each of you has the ability to grow. However, it takes a commitment to face your fears and try things that scare you. Each step you take will help you build the business you dream of and live the life you desire.

“Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.”
Psalm 143: 8