Don't be defeated by your comfort zone - By: Eileen Edwards

Are you sitting comfortably? I hope not at least in the metaphorical sense! The comfort zone can be dangerous place to be if you have unfulfilled goals and ambitions. It's a fact of human nature that we move away from pain and towards pleasure. At an even more basic level we always do what is necessary for our survival. So most people succeed at least in earning enough to eat and pay their bills.

In a strange way the person who hits rock bottom is in a better place to make positive change than someone who is just about getting by.Not knowing where the next meal is coming from can do wonders for concentrating the mind. However many people find themselves in a situation where they do just enough to get by. Although they wish for change they are not uncomfortable enough to put in sufficient effort to make that change happen.

If you are not familiar with the term comfort zone it refers to the things we are comfortable doing. Expanding our comfort zone by becoming comfortable with the unfamiliar allows us to achieve our goals. A speaker for example may be comfortable with speaking to small groups but not large ones. A housewife may be a great cook and think about setting up a business catering for dinner parties but be held back by lack of confidence. Both these people are stuck in their comfort zone.Confronting the unfamiliar can be a daunting prospect even when it will lead to rewards.

Our comfort zone isn't static its either expanding or contracting. Most people need to expand their comfort zone in order to achieve their goals.Here is an exercise to help expand yours should you feel the need. Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Imagine that you are sitting in a rocking chair, move forward in your mind to five years in the future. Let's look at our example of the housewife who wishes to become a professional cook. She is currently 28 we'll call her Lisa. Lisa would picture herself at the age of 33 and imagine what her life would be like if she did not act to make her goal a reality. She would then picture herself 5 years in the future running her own successful catering business. Next she would picture herself at 38 not having persued her goal. Then aged 38 running her successful and expanding catering business. Lisa would be aware of the feelings coming in through her senses whilst completing this exercise. In working with Lisa I would enquire about what she saw, heard and felt as she visualised her future. This simple exercise can have profound results for people wanting to expand their comfort zone. Remember to always finish the exercise on a highly positive note seeing yourself having accomplished your goal.

About the Author

Want to expand your comfort zone and achieve more? For a free assessment to find out how much more you could be achieving contact eileen@eileenedwards.co.uk Eileen is a psychologist passionate about helping people like you to succeed. She offers the Success Magnetz training programme to help ambitious people achieve their goals. Eileen also has a website http://www.eileenedwards.co.uk This site deals only with relationships.

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