Do you have big dreams? You do? Me too!

Do you ever feel like you’re moving nowhere close to them?

What’s stopping you?

For some of us, it’s a fear of getting out of our comfort zone. I know that’s a big factor for me.

Comfort Zone = the area considered comfortable for most people.

It’s that place where nothing exciting happens, you know what to expect, and you can comfortably do what you need to do in this zone without stretching yourself or being afraid. Hence, COMFORT zone.

But, can anything big happen in your comfort zone? Can we achieve our dreams in our comfort zone?

I propose, nothing of significance happens in the comfort zone.

For years I have had a dream of speaking, writing and encouraging others in their walk with God and who they’ve been created to be.

But, for decades, I’ve let fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of getting out of my comfort zone from holding me back.

I woke up one day while doing an exercise in a book called The Seven Decisions by Andy Andrews. (One of my top three books of all time!!). In this exercise, I had to write my own eulogy! I had to write it as if I had passed away and someone else was sharing at my funeral what I meant to them. Sobering let me tell you. 😳

I realized in that moment, that all those dreams I’ve had for years were still just that…dreams. I had not taken any steps to make them a reality.

Writing my own eulogy was my turning point. I needed to do something…anything that would move me out of my comfort zone and toward my dreams–even if it meant doing it afraid.

What is the dream in your heart? What’s your greatest desire? Who do you want to become? What do you want people to say about you once you’ve passed on?

It’s guaranteed, you won’t be able to fulfill it without GETTING OUT of your comfort zone. (Unless, you just want to hang out at home in your pj’s scrolling the internet. Then your good.) 😉

But, it’s sooooo comfortable! I know! I know! I feel the same way.

It’s challenging for me to get out of my comfort zone too. It can be scary. It’s unknown. It could mean the F-word…that’s right! FAILURE!

So how can we push ourselves out of our comfy, cushy comfort zone into that place where we’re moving towards our dreams–the adventure we’re created for?

1. Reframe what it means to get out of our comfort zone.

Just because you’re afraid when you’re out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean that’s bad.

It’s ok to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.

Everything you want is on the other side of fear.

Psalm 23:4 AMP
Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

Notice it’s the SHADOW of death…it’s NOT death. The best part is our Heavenly Father is with us all the way through it. He’s continually protecting, guiding and comforting us!

So, go do it afraid.

2. Think of what you’ll gain by getting out of your comfort zone.

“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” Jim Rohn

If you stay in your comfort zone, nothing will change. Sameness gets boring after awhile.

Did you ever see the movie Groundhog Day? I actually watch it ever February 2nd in honor of the holiday by which it’s named.

In Ground Hog day, our main character keeps repeating the same day, Ground Hog day, over and over again. I won’t go into all the details, but at one point our main character hits that inevitable wall of sameness and it eventually causes him to want to end it all. It’s not until he changes his perspective and then begins getting out and trying new things, including helping others, that it brings joy into his life. He begins to feel fulfilled.

Think of your dream, how you will feel when you are moving toward it, and all those you will help along the way. That’s what’s on the other side of your comfort zone.

“When your why is strong enough, the how becomes easy.” Jim Rohn

3. Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start thinking about what could go right.

Our minds are excellent at going to worst case scenarios. But, is thinking through all the things that could go wrong helping us move out of us comfort zone? Or, does it cause us to freeze up?

It’s time to start thinking about what could go right.

Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I’m not saying ignore things if they’re going wrong. What I am saying is don’t go making up stuff ahead of time that “could” go wrong. Start focusing on what you do want your outcome to be.

I can’t experience one thing while thinking another.

For instance, I can’t experience love and appreciation for my spouse while simultaneously thinking negative thoughts about him.

We won’t be able to get out of our comfort zone to achieve our dreams if we’re bogged down with the “what if’s.”

So, let’s start thinking about what could go right instead.

Life is like a theme park. You get to pick the rides. So, do you want to stay on the merry-go-round where it’s safe or do you go for the thrill ride?

When you get yourself out of your comfort zone and onto the thrill ride of following your dreams, even doing it afraid, the fear turns thrills!

Discussion

What’s one thing you’re going to do to move you out of your comfort zone and toward you dream?

Resources

This is by no means the be all end all of getting you out of your comfort zone and into the life of your dreams. That would take a couple of books at least, so here's a few more resources to take you further on your journey.

Podcast-Blog

Three Ways To Move You Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Toward The Life Of Your Dreams