| Live your life to the fullest. | | | | unsettled out of your comfort zone, andyou realise |
| Make the most of the opportunities in your life. | | | | that at any time you have a choice to walk into or |
| Be an active participant in your own life. | | | | away from anything you want. |
| Enjoy what you have while it lasts. | | | | Here are few examples, but remember your comfort |
| How many times have we heard these things or | | | | zone exercises are only relevant to getting you out of |
| similar being said - not only to us but to people around | | | | your comfort zone. |
| us and, in some cases, by us to people we know? | | | | Short Term |
| So what is it that holds us back? What is it that makes | | | | No coffee for a week |
| us reluctant to do other things or to change or refine | | | | No dessert after dinner |
| certain aspects of our life? What is the key ingredient | | | | No chocolate |
| that usually holds people back from making the | | | | Give up alcohol and cigarettes for a period |
| changes in their life? | | | | Have lunch with work colleagues you don't particularly |
| Fear. Yep, I said it. And you probably did too. | | | | get on with |
| Fear is the number one cause of lack of progression. | | | | Take a Toastmaster's course and MC the annual |
| Fear of what? In most cases, fear of failure. It | | | | work Christmas party |
| is easy not to place ourselves in a position where we | | | | Take singing lessons and start practising the national |
| can fail, so the easiest thing to do is to keep ourselves | | | | anthem |
| in a safe position. That way we cannot fail. | | | | Take a high speed driving course |
| So what is it you do to overcome this fear of failure? | | | | Don't eat until you are hungry. No, I mean really hungry |
| What do you do to accept the challenges of life? | | | | For a short period, wear clothes that are not really you |
| What needs to be done so that there is understanding | | | | Take diving, caving or learn to fly classes |
| and acceptance that there will be challenges, | | | | Long Term |
| obstacles, and setbacks along the way? Learning so | | | | Take public transport to work for one year |
| that you know you will make mistakes but that you will | | | | Exercise for 30 mins three times per week for a year |
| learn from them and become better because of | | | | Sit on the committee of your local sporting club for a |
| them? How do you do all of this and more? | | | | season |
| Practise. That's right, you practise. | | | | Be a volunteer at a local homeless shelter |
| First you need to understand a key point in all of this. It | | | | Get out of bed one hour earlier each day |
| is not always the failing that you dislike. It is sometimes | | | | Walk to work for a year |
| the feeling you get when you fail. It is the feeling you | | | | Drink nothing but water for a year |
| get when you are uncertain of what it is you are doing. | | | | Take an education course in something that you know |
| It is that feeling you get when you are out of your | | | | you are not strong in |
| comfort zone -- on the high wire with no safety net, | | | | For one hour each week for one year, do something |
| flying the plane without a parachute. | | | | you do not like to do |
| It is the feeling you get when you think about what | | | | As you can see the Comfort Zone Exercises are only |
| others may think, do or say when you make mistakes. | | | | restricted by your imagination. The key is to think about |
| Think up any situation that you feel uncomfortable in | | | | the things that can and will make you uneasy, and then |
| and you will see what has just been outlined -- | | | | just gradually put yourself in those situations. In some |
| breathing gets shallower and faster, heart starts to | | | | cases you will complete your exercises first go. |
| race, perspire a little. Then you start thinking about | | | | In others, you may need to repeat them as you might |
| being uncomfortable, so it continues to get worse. | | | | fall a little short on your first attempt. |
| Sound familiar? | | | | The significance and benefit of comfort zone exercise |
| How do we overcome these feelings, these fears of | | | | is that no-one else is making you do it; it's just you and |
| failure? We practise getting out of our comfort zone. | | | | your desire to develop your own skills and abilities. |
| That's right -- we put ourselves in this situation and we | | | | The greatest benefit will be the increase in |
| do it regularly. | | | | self-confidence that you will attain from the entire |
| My good friend, Graeme Alford gave this idea to | | | | undertaking. |
| me:Â Comfort Zone Exercises -- one short term, | | | | Your confidence will rise because you have, at least, |
| one long term. The Comfort Zone Exercises can be | | | | attempted to get out of your comfort zone. It will also |
| whatever you need them to be, just so long as they | | | | increase because you got out of your comfort zone |
| make you feel a little uncomfortable and they get you | | | | by choice. Your choice! Your confidence will soar as |
| out of that comfort zone. The exercises don't have to | | | | you complete your comfort zone exercises and as |
| be relevant to anyone but you. | | | | you acknowledge the ability you have developed to |
| Some of the great things about these exercises | | | | attempt and successfully complete new activities in |
| are:you learn how to operate when feeling a little | | | | your life. |