Routines. We all need them. We all know the critical role they can play in our development in athletics and life. Routines help us build good habits and are steps in life that we can take to help better ourselves. Often we can conflate our routines with our comfort zone. Our comfort zone is a place that feels safe and familiar. Finding the motivation to leave our comfort zone becomes much more complicated when we start to feel comfortable.
Life changes and other things can lead us to step out of our comfort zone. It can be trying something new in your routine to prepare for competition, changing to a new job or moving to a new place, etc. These things challenge us to dive out of our comfort zone and face the fear of potential failure face to face. When you make an effort to get out of your comfort zone, you open yourself up to new potential passions and give yourself a chance to grow! What are some steps you can take to STEP outside your comfort zone?
- Change Up Your Daily Routine: We always discuss the importance of routines. Having routines in place sets you up to have a solid foundation. Try a new workout routine. Switch up your type of meditation. These little things can be small steps that help you test getting out of your comfort zone. You might even find a new routine you thoroughly enjoy.
- Take Small Steps: You don’t have to leave your comfort zone by diving off the deep end. Take steps that get you out of your comfort zone. Find little routines you can shake up, as we mentioned above. Take small steps into leadership opportunities. Find avenues that can slowly get you comfortable outside of your daily normal.
- Get Comfortable with Discomfort: Throughout athletics and life, you will constantly run into challenges that might make you feel uncomfortable. Try to address it head-on. Avoid running away from the training that makes you uncomfortable. Say you crush cardio workouts, but struggle with lifting. Be intentional and focus on getting yourself to take a shot at your lifting workouts more.
- Learn from Failure: Don’t be afraid to fail. Remember that failure is a tool you can use to learn, grow, and become a better version of yourself. Remind yourself that failure will teach you and allow you to experience adversity. It will help you learn what to do to reach your goals.
- Find the Benefits: Think about the things that make you uncomfortable in your game or life and write down what they are. After that, figure out the benefits of getting yourself out of your comfort zone and taking that dive into a challenge head-on. What are the potential outcomes? How will it help you grow? These little notes can help you gain motivation to push through any fear you may have.
- Remember to Have Fun: We know it can be scary to get out of your comfort zone and do something new. Always remind yourself that doing so is a chance to find out a better version of yourself and the joy that could potentially come with it. Remember to have fun and enjoy the process of growing.
