By: Trina Johnson
Change is hard. Our comfort zone is, well, comfortable. We know our habits, rituals, feelings, and needs in our small intimate universe. We like to go where we’ve been before, be with people we know, do things we know how to do and participate in activities we already know we like.
But sometimes we need, or want, to change. Things in our comfort zone are not always giving us everything we need. Life is constantly about growth, and that bubble we are comfortable with gets too cramped and confining.
In order to change, you have to be brave. You must have the courage to identify what is not working in your life and then DO something about it. Your goals require that you reach outside your comfort zone.
Unfortunately, when it comes to change, many people tend to stall. They delay. They tell themselves that they want to change, but not right now. Maybe tomorrow or starting Monday. The thought of doing something completely new and out of their comfort zone scares them. They will allow that fear to hold them back for months, years, even decades. If they only have the courage, their life could be so, so different.
If you are feeling stifled but are scared to make a big change, it’s perfectly okay to start small. Stop by a diner you’ve never visited before for lunch. Rearrange your furniture so when you sit in your favorite chair you are facing out a different window. If you usually take a shower in the morning, take it at night and use that morning time to read or write in a journal. Take a different route to work. Shop at different stores.
As you get more comfortable with taking new risks, begin to tackle bigger, more consequential tasks. Apply for that new job, look for a home in a new city, or go on dates with guys who do not fit your previous profile. The fear of change is like a muscle. The more you make changes, the more you feel comfortable making changes, the more courage and confidence you develop, and all that helps you to handle anything change may throw at you.
Yes, it takes courage to change your life. But your growth will not happen until you step up in your own life and be brave.
So take a risk. It’ll all be worth it in the end.
Katryna Johnson, J.D., aka Trina, owns Mirelli Entrepreneur Training for Women. Her passion for helping women came from seeing her law clients broken and demoralized after divorce. She helps women build confidence, take responsibility, and launch businesses. She wholeheartedly believes women who help other women succeed will change the world. Find out more at www. MirelliETC.com