There’s a lot of talk about getting outside your comfort zone because that is where growth occurs. That is true. It is also true that sometimes it is perfectly fine to stay inside your comfort zone for a while, for a season, or for a much longer period. The challenge is having the wisdom to know the difference. Let’s look at it.

Not Playing Big Enough

One sign you need to move outside your comfort zone is when you realize you’re not playing big enough in life, but you want to. It might be that you know you can do more in your business, but you don’t know how, or you are afraid, you feel you might fail or make a fool of yourself. Kudos, Will Robinson! Growth ahead!

You Know There Is More, But What is “It”?

Another sign it’s time to make a move is that you know there is more, you just don’t know what “it” is!  Congratulations on your self-awareness. Start moving outside your comfort zone in easy, small steps.  For example, let’s say you want to start a business, grow a business, travel to a new country, or learn a new skill that at this moment seems monumental. Start by becoming curious and doing some research.  I work with clients to “Dream Big” and “Execute Small.” This is an example of executing small – research! You are not committing to anything yet. You are exploring possibilities. You will then be able to decide based on solid information.  Kudos, Will Robinson! You’re researching possible growth!

Enough is Enough

Have you ever that that moment where you decide, deep in your soul, that enough is enough? You have hit a wall and are no longer willing to tolerate whatever is frustrating you, dragging you down, and making your life miserable. It is time to move outside your comfort zone and it is up to you to make it happen.  Either you’re ready to do your research, or you are ready to make a plan and act. Let’s take a nonbusiness example. You want to lose weight. Whether you are in the research or action phase, remember it probably took you a while to put on the extra weight, and it will likely take a while to take it off.  Grant yourself patience and grace in the process. Personally, I had some setbacks in the beginning, and then I found my stride.  Kudos, Will Robinson! Growth ahead!

Now for Wisdom

As I said in the beginning, sometimes it’s perfectly fine to stay inside your comfort zone. Let’s say you did your research, and you now know you don’t want to take the step you thought you did. If you are doing it for the right reasons – you have thought about it strategically, you’re basing your decision upon facts, your timeline, your finances, your desires, whatever – then that is NOT failure. That is knowledge of self.  You may choose to do whatever “it” is a few months or years down the road, or you may choose to never, ever do it. Or maybe you have been operating outside your comfort zone and are now reaping the rewards of that past effort. Ahhh…. congratulations, bask in your victory! Or maybe now that one sector is now comfortable there is another sector of your life you want to tackle. It’s your choice, Will Robinson! Believe in yourself!

Conclusion

As I said in the beginning, the challenge is having the wisdom to know whether it is time to move outside your comfort zone or stay right inside it for now. We have one life to live and we want to make the best choices for ourselves and our families. It is your life. It’s your choice. I wish you well, inside or outside your comfort zone!

About Robin Suomi, Founder, Startup to Growth.  Robin has worked with thousands of small business owners in industries from A to Z, from solopreneur to 4 employees, from launch to $5M in sales. Affordable MEG (My Entrepreneurial Group) membership with Power Hours and educational videos help you work on your business, not just in it. More information on all services at Startup to Growth.