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Old 12-02-2006, 07:24 AM
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Default What do you guys do to break out of your comfort zone?

I believe a large part of Personal Development is breaking out of your comfort zone, and then repeating that process over and over until your life becomes more and more enriched.

What do you guys do to break out of your comfort zones?
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Old 12-02-2006, 08:05 AM
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Make that stretch!! Feel and relish in that initial pain while looking forward to that better brighter future me! (Lots of visualisation and future pacing to get that kicking high feeling works wonders too!)

It helps heaps if my loved ones keep encouraging and supporting me too.
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Old 12-02-2006, 09:26 AM
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By taking it easy. Taking small steps that make you feel not too uncomfortable. And then after it feels comfortable, you can take a next small step and so on.

Scare yourself a little, but not too much.
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Old 12-02-2006, 01:58 PM
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Have kids.
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Old 12-02-2006, 03:24 PM
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Meet new people!
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Who else wants more strategies for an effective life?
Visit Life Coaches Blog today.
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Old 12-02-2006, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina View Post
Have kids.
Be careful, there may be teenagers in the audience...
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Old 12-02-2006, 05:07 PM
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I've heard that Tiger Woods uses a particular technique when practicing in order to prepare himself for a tournament.

What he does is that he over-extends his swing on his practice shots. The reason being is that humans tend to get tense in situations that they don't feel comfortable in. Therefore, whenever he's faced with a pressure-packed shot, by having practiced to go over-extend, the pressure situation, automatically causes that extended swing to withdraw a bit into a comfort zone. Hence resulting in a 'normal' swing.

In the same manner, when we anticipate that we will be entering a situation where it would require us to cross our comfort zone, we should practice a similar technique.

For instance, if you're going to give a speech in front of a large audience for the first time, then prior to the speech take a few moments to 'hyper-extend' and fire yourself up by talking loudly, jumping up and down, saying "I just can't wait to tell you about the topic at hand today, it's about a, b, c, etc..." and continue in a loud and energetic manner. (obviously in the privacy of your room or away from people, so as not to make people think you're crazy :-) ).

What this will do is that come speech time, you'll already have crossed your boundaries prior to the speech, and as a result, if nervousness arises while giving the speech, you'll withdraw back into your comfort zone which in reality would be your normal way of giving a speech.

Great technique that can be used for any situation by just over extending your boundaries before you enter the situation.
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Old 12-02-2006, 11:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babuji View Post
I've heard that Tiger Woods uses a particular technique when practicing in order to prepare himself for a tournament.

What he does is that he over-extends his swing on his practice shots. The reason being is that humans tend to get tense in situations that they don't feel comfortable in. Therefore, whenever he's faced with a pressure-packed shot, by having practiced to go over-extend, the pressure situation, automatically causes that extended swing to withdraw a bit into a comfort zone. Hence resulting in a 'normal' swing.

In the same manner, when we anticipate that we will be entering a situation where it would require us to cross our comfort zone, we should practice a similar technique.

For instance, if you're going to give a speech in front of a large audience for the first time, then prior to the speech take a few moments to 'hyper-extend' and fire yourself up by talking loudly, jumping up and down, saying "I just can't wait to tell you about the topic at hand today, it's about a, b, c, etc..." and continue in a loud and energetic manner. (obviously in the privacy of your room or away from people, so as not to make people think you're crazy :-) ).

What this will do is that come speech time, you'll already have crossed your boundaries prior to the speech, and as a result, if nervousness arises while giving the speech, you'll withdraw back into your comfort zone which in reality would be your normal way of giving a speech.

Great technique that can be used for any situation by just over extending your boundaries before you enter the situation.
That's a very interesting technique, and one I haven't heard of before. What a great idea!
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Old 12-03-2006, 04:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babuji View Post
I've heard that Tiger Woods uses a particular technique when practicing in order to prepare himself for a tournament.

What he does is that he over-extends his swing on his practice shots. The reason being is that humans tend to get tense in situations that they don't feel comfortable in. Therefore, whenever he's faced with a pressure-packed shot, by having practiced to go over-extend, the pressure situation, automatically causes that extended swing to withdraw a bit into a comfort zone. Hence resulting in a 'normal' swing.

In the same manner, when we anticipate that we will be entering a situation where it would require us to cross our comfort zone, we should practice a similar technique.

For instance, if you're going to give a speech in front of a large audience for the first time, then prior to the speech take a few moments to 'hyper-extend' and fire yourself up by talking loudly, jumping up and down, saying "I just can't wait to tell you about the topic at hand today, it's about a, b, c, etc..." and continue in a loud and energetic manner. (obviously in the privacy of your room or away from people, so as not to make people think you're crazy :-) ).

What this will do is that come speech time, you'll already have crossed your boundaries prior to the speech, and as a result, if nervousness arises while giving the speech, you'll withdraw back into your comfort zone which in reality would be your normal way of giving a speech.

Great technique that can be used for any situation by just over extending your boundaries before you enter the situation.
Hmm this is very interesting... I have a performance coming up in a week, I will try this technique before that.
Thanks.

What about say is you were a smoker or an alcoholic or any other bad habit etc, and by forcing yourself into not endulging in these activities you would be going into your UNcomfort zone. How would this technique work in that situation?
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Old 12-03-2006, 05:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason View Post
I believe a large part of Personal Development is breaking out of your comfort zone, and then repeating that process over and over until your life becomes more and more enriched.

What do you guys do to break out of your comfort zones?

Fighting in karate tournaments.
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Old 12-03-2006, 06:27 AM
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2 day stint in the nuerosurgery ward of a rundown hospital in the slums of Mumbai, India. I was already there for business and at the time I thought I wanted to become a doctor, so I thought when in Rome. It's either my best experience ever or worst, have a hard time decideding
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Old 12-03-2006, 08:05 AM
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I often use external motivation (money, friends, etc) to push myself. For example: I am terrified of heights so I payed for a rock-climbing class (the extreme might be to take a skydiving class). I am not going to skip out on a class, especially if I paid for it or if I am taking it with friends.
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Old 12-03-2006, 08:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason View Post
I believe a large part of Personal Development is breaking out of your comfort zone, and then repeating that process over and over until your life becomes more and more enriched.

What do you guys do to break out of your comfort zones?
Run away from home! It is not for everyone but it worked for me. Seriously I was almost literally dying to get out of my old box. I decided to make a change in my life and I moved from Illinois to Asia.

I have been here for almost seven years now and feel like I have received what I was supposed to from being here. I am doing a 30 day intensive meditation and immersion in goal setting and what I want from life or at least the next portion of life. I want to know what I want.

I remain a traveler on the journey.
Gene
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Old 12-03-2006, 09:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason View Post
I believe a large part of Personal Development is breaking out of your comfort zone, and then repeating that process over and over until your life becomes more and more enriched.
In the fitness world, breaking out of your comfort zone is needed when you hit a plateau (when you don't make any progress). This can be: do something more, or do something less, but in any case: change something.
To keep control over your progress, don't force anything and change only one thing at a time.
I believe this is a good rule for personal development too.
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Old 12-04-2006, 01:53 AM
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I got this from a guy named Juice.

"If it feels weird, do it more."
If I just repeat that sentence I can do anything.
Also
-WANT the adventure
-you only live once
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Old 12-21-2006, 11:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina View Post
Have kids.
Be careful as there is no 'Undo' button for that
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Old 12-21-2006, 05:12 PM
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I haven't yet bought the book, but I love the succintness of the title:
Feel the Fear...and Do It Anyway

Amazon.com: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: Books: Susan Jeffers

I just thumbed through it a week ago and it looked pretty good. A few days later I was uncomfortable/slightly fearful of doing something, but I silently recited the book title to myself and made it happen. I don't know about anyone else, but I *love* the feeling of conquering fear, one situation at a time. Die fear, die!!!

Lately, I've been focusing intently on changing my bad habits, to the point that I sometimes go to bed at night and I barely recognize myself. It absolutely feels weird, but I know it is the feeling of progress rather than one of unconscious idleness.

Tom

Last edited by tc33 : 12-21-2006 at 05:16 PM.
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Old 12-21-2006, 06:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babuji View Post
I've heard that Tiger Woods uses a particular technique when practicing in order to prepare himself for a tournament.

What he does is that he over-extends his swing on his practice shots. The reason being is that humans tend to get tense in situations that they don't feel comfortable in. Therefore, whenever he's faced with a pressure-packed shot, by having practiced to go over-extend, the pressure situation, automatically causes that extended swing to withdraw a bit into a comfort zone. Hence resulting in a 'normal' swing.

In the same manner, when we anticipate that we will be entering a situation where it would require us to cross our comfort zone, we should practice a similar technique.

For instance, if you're going to give a speech in front of a large audience for the first time, then prior to the speech take a few moments to 'hyper-extend' and fire yourself up by talking loudly, jumping up and down, saying "I just can't wait to tell you about the topic at hand today, it's about a, b, c, etc..." and continue in a loud and energetic manner. (obviously in the privacy of your room or away from people, so as not to make people think you're crazy :-) ).

What this will do is that come speech time, you'll already have crossed your boundaries prior to the speech, and as a result, if nervousness arises while giving the speech, you'll withdraw back into your comfort zone which in reality would be your normal way of giving a speech.

Great technique that can be used for any situation by just over extending your boundaries before you enter the situation.
My drama teacher used to psyche us up before a performance with the same technique, and it really works. Got me excited to get out there and act well.

And yes, there are teenagers in the audience. XD
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Old 12-21-2006, 09:03 PM
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I read something I wouldn't usually. talk to someone I wouldn't usually. Eat something I wouldn't usually...anything like that
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Old 12-22-2006, 11:23 AM
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Honestly,

I usually had to have my best friends kick me in the butt.
It works when that happens. And that's why you need
to surround yourself with people that's willing to be
brutally honest with you.

Get a Mastermind group.
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Old 12-22-2006, 01:11 PM
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Comfort zone is all in ones experience.
I was born and raised out of my comfort zone, and felt/had no comfort most of my life. It was only when I desired and sought my comfort zone did I experience any comfort, and I am expanding my comfort zone everyday.
Thank goodness!
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Old 12-22-2006, 04:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason View Post
I believe a large part of Personal Development is breaking out of your comfort zone, and then repeating that process over and over until your life becomes more and more enriched.

What do you guys do to break out of your comfort zones?
The Abraham Hicks answer would be: don't.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Abraham;