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

[Jason]

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?

[Dating Specialist]

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.

[Dolazy]

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.

[Steve Pavlina]

Have kids.

[Alvin]

Meet new people!

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Have kids.

Be careful, there may be teenagers in the audience...

[babuji]

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.

[floramorada]

Originally Posted by babuji

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!

[Lucinda]

Originally Posted by babuji

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?

[Kristoffer]

Originally Posted by Jason

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.

[The Protagonist]

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

[Matt]

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.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Jason

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

[Frans]

Originally Posted by Jason

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.

[ZenDude]

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

[Dolazy]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Have kids.

Be careful as there is no 'Undo' button for that

[tc33]

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

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by babuji

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

[Akashic_Librarian]

I read something I wouldn't usually. talk to someone I wouldn't usually. Eat something I wouldn't usually...anything like that

[Joel Chue]

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.

[dorothy hanna]

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!

[Dolazy]

Originally Posted by Jason

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.

Originally Posted by Abraham;

There are those that say, if you do the uncomfortable thing long enough, it will become comfortable. But we are really not encouragers of that. We are encouragers of coming into alignment, and then taking the action. We are encouragers always of getting rid of the fear; we would never want you to keep doing things that you feel fearful about. And maybe the path of least resistance is just not get on the horse. Maybe the path of least resistance is to get on a different horse—but we would never move forward in fear.

(Token from: Abraham-Hicks Quarterly Journal)

Hoping to help,

Dolazy

[ozone123]

Comfort zone is another name for being bored of life. I recently got really bored of my life and decided to change things. I did this by calling up old friends I haven't seen, talking to strangers, hitting on random girls at bars; resturants; and malls, dating girls and moving faster then I'm normally comfortable with, hit on a friend that I wanted to hit on for a long time but was too scared to, stopped following my company policies that I thought where stupid, and I quite smoking recently. I feel really good cuz I feel free to do whatever pleased me if others don't like it too bad.

This is what they mean when they say it is good to be bad.

I found that I stayed in my comfort zone because I was afraid that people would disapprove of me doing whatever I desired to do. I got over this by just being open with friends and found that they accepted me for who I m and in fact they had alot of the same desire to be liberal and free.

[brandi]

my comfort zone. funny situation, the very thing that i fear or possible results of said action- but exilatrates the snot out of me the accessory/gear shopping potential is out of this world!!! I also took this up because i am so risk adverse. everything safety, checked, double checked, risk assessment. i'll just stay home today type of person.

motorcycles
the very thing that scares me, thrills me.

[Ilya]

One time I made a point to do something in a different way every time I did it.
For example, I took a new route to work every day, until they've become very impractical. I took all means of transportation, You wouldn't believe how many ways one can travel from point A to point B and stay within the same timeframe.

Also I tried to cut my salad in a different way. The same ingridients, but cut differently - slices, diced, crushed, chopped and so on. And it does change the taste of the dish! Cooking is a huge playground for that - use a different spice every day, different ingredients, and when you think of combinations, the possibilities are endless.

I also made commitments when I had a scary opportunity coming my way. Sometimes I failed to keep my promises, but it surely taught me a lot.

[sunj]

Like a person above said. Taking small steps. Do something similar that a just a little uncomfortable. Do it a few times. Then move on to something a little higher that's uncomfortable. Keep repeating that process.

[charlottecharade]

I just ask myself, am I happy with my life right now? If the answer is no, then something must change. For me, that means breaking out of my comfort zone. A little alcohol does the trick

[mlbr23]

I love concepts like Destiny, as if I am 'destined' for something big, but I believe that I am in control of it.

So whenever I want to do something uncomfortable but may have a huge positive impact on me, I'll just use the Destiny card. I say, maybe this is the point in time when a momentous event occurs that I decide to do something that will break me away from my old patterns and on to a new set of more empowering patterns.

Then I just do it.

[nick pagan]

Confidence in life can only come from having great competence at whatever you want to do. If you do things in public that you are not competent at then you will probably humiliate yourself and most of us find that one of the worst possible emotions to feel. For this reason we often find it hard to break out of the comfort zone.

If there is something that you want to do in public that you know that you don't have the competence to do consistently and without fail then you need to develop that competence in private. Use your private time to build your capabilities and hence your confidence. You can make it easy on yourself by never going 'all out' when you first start to do new things in public. Perform at 80% to 90% of your competence levels and then you can feel highly confident and relaxed.

You can read the embarrassing story of how I learned this lesson the hard way here:

Nick Pagan » Antidote to Perfectionism

Take care,
Nick

[Brutha]

Be careful as there is no 'Undo' button for that

There is no Undo button for most really interesting things. It's about burning boots (or bridges however you like)