Leaving the comfort zone – success is only possible on the other side
You have the right to the pursuit of happiness and success - even if you are not a US citizen. The Americans wrote this into their Declaration of Independence in 1776. There is nothing about this in the German constitution. Here, we are expected to function, be good citizens, taxpayers, climate protectors, energy converters and open to everything and everyone.
Since you are a subscriber to this newsletter, I will take the liberty of assuming that you are striving for a fulfilled life in freedom, prosperity, and the development of all your talents. I congratulate you on this! Now let's think together about how this could work.
Success is uncomfortable
And then it becomes uncomfortable, because happiness, and above all success, always lie outside our comfort zone. Even the young eagle is lovingly pushed out of the nest by its parents. This is the only way it learns to fly and thus to live independently.
Our comfort zone is not a place in the outside world, not a cozy nest on a rocky outcrop, but a state of mind. We have formed it over many years by repeatedly thinking similar thoughts and experiencing the resulting feelings. And sometimes we feel as if we are stuck. Because life is comfortable - but why aren't we happy or as successful as we used to be?
Determining where we stand
How can you tell if you are in your comfort zone? If you want to find out for yourself, here are a few factors to check:
- No more new goals, hardly any drive
- Looking back instead of visions and looking for new opportunities
- Preserving what you already have becomes more important than interest in new experiences
- Pretended modesty - motto: "Not everyone has to..." or "That's enough for me...".
- Problem orientation instead of a desire for solutions
- Lack of enthusiasm, but a tendency to criticize, grumble and be sarcastic
- Professional or business stagnation.
Does some of this sound familiar to you? If so, shouldn't we be in a spirit of optimism right away? Yes, you might be thinking, but who knows how it will turn out...
The ego slows us down
It is the ego that wants to keep us in our comfort zone. Its job is to protect us from dangers and threats. However, it only works with the mind. The mind, in turn, can only access what it has already stored - and that is the past. It does not know anything else.
The ego therefore perceives everything new and unknown as a threat. Feelings immediately arise that we rate as uncomfortable. Fear arises, doubts arise. Anger and mistrust arise. Feelings of inferiority spread. We fear injury, embarrassment, and rejection. That's why our protector, the ego, insists that we avoid these feelings at all costs. This lands us in the middle of the most beautiful conflict!
Ready to take risks?
Because it is precisely these risks that we must take if we want to start something new and be successful. But it's worth having the courage to do so. If you stay in your comfort zone, you will only ever repeat the same things and actions. Naturally, this only leads to the same results again and again. If you want new results, you must think and do new things.
The world around us is constantly changing. If we remain in our comfort zone, it will pass us by, and we will fall behind! New successes can therefore only be achieved outside the comfort zone. But those who venture into this new land will be rewarded with new self-esteem, drive, and zest for life.
Overcome the fear
It's not so bad after all. We should just re-evaluate the supposedly unpleasant feelings. For example, fear, which we think is something fundamentally bad. But is that really the case?
It's okay to have butterflies in our stomach. We just have to get them to fly in formation. Because fear is not just unpleasant. It also brings important benefits: new strength, clarity and the ability to focus.
The feeling of fear in our body leads to the release of adrenaline, glucose and neurotransmitters. These provide us with energy, which is necessary for the two usual reactions to dangerous situations: Flight or fight. For our ancestors in ancient times, fear was therefore a useful emotion, as it provided them with the energy boost that often saved their lives in dangerous situations.
Come over the border
So here's my suggestion: gain a new perspective now. This will help you defeat your worst enemy: the fear of fear.
Because the only real danger we put ourselves in when we leave our comfort zone is learning something new. It could be worse, couldn't it?
Yes, I would like to invite you to get up and make your way across the border. Leave the familiar, escape your comfort zone and set off for a new country! I am sure you will like it there.
