Stepping outside of your comfort zone regularly is an integral part of living a purposeful life. In a time where ‘living your best life’ has become the platitude to live by, people are more eager than ever to be seen to challenge themselves. And rightly so. We are blessed with incredible minds and bodies that are capable of magnificent things and warrant so much more than a life spent in front of whatever device screen takes your fancy. So, we return to education, sign up to new classes, bungee jump, sky dive, speed date and we feel alive and full of vitality. Temporarily. And so, we set a new challenge, a new endeavour that will give us the thrill of anticipation laced with just an edge of fear.
However, when it comes to our choice of step, are we simply taking the easiest option? I know many people that would rather handfeed the lions than approach a difficult conversation with a loved one or indeed walk on hot coals rather than sit with their thoughts and face some unsavoury home truths. We tend to look to external outlets for our internal development as opposed to working from the inside out. It’s not something we do consciously. It’s just our brains have this marvellous ability to select the least risky option. After all, our brains are not designed to keep us fulfilled, they’re designed to keep us alive.
When it comes to choosing a courageous step, we are also heavily influenced by our emotional need for acceptance. We tend to opt for what others will approve of as opposed to what we truly need for our own growth and fulfilment. We look for the wow effect; something that will illustrate great achievement, something visible for others to acknowledge. Without a doubt, externally validated esteem feels great and serves it purpose. Yet one of the bravest things we can do is work on true self-acceptance; the ability to look the darkest parts of ourselves in the eye with compassion.
What we describe as our comfort zone is often an internal compilation of defences, coping mechanisms and internal criticism. So next time you are considering your next venture outside comfort zone, ensure the direction you take reflects the work you really need to do. Consider your deepest fears and wounds and lovingly work towards healing them. Stepping outside of your comfort zone regularly is an integral part of living a purposeful life. In a time where ‘living your best life’ has become the platitude to live by, people are more eager than ever to be seen to challenge themselves. And rightly so. We are blessed with incredible minds and bodies that are capable of magnificent things and warrant so much more than a life spent in front of whatever device screen takes your fancy. So, we return to education, sign up to new classes, bungee jump, sky dive, speed date and we feel alive and full of vitality. Temporarily. And so, we set a new challenge, a new endeavour that will give us the thrill of anticipation laced with just an edge of fear. However, when it comes to our choice of step, are we simply taking the easiest option? I know many people that would rather handfeed the lions than approach a difficult conversation with a loved one or indeed walk on hot coals rather than sit with their thoughts and face some unsavoury home truths. We tend to look to external outlets for our internal development as opposed to working from the inside out. It’s not something we do consciously. It’s just our brains have this marvellous ability to select the least risky option. After all, our brains are not designed to keep us fulfilled, they’re designed to keep us alive.When it comes to choosing a courageous step, we are also heavily influenced by our emotional need for acceptance. We tend to opt for what others will approve of as opposed to what we truly need for our own growth and fulfilment. We look for the wow effect; something that will illustrate great achievement, something visible for others to acknowledge. Without a doubt, externally validated esteem feels great and serves it purpose. Yet one of the bravest things we can do is work on true self-acceptance; the ability to look the darkest parts of ourselves in the eye with compassion. What we describe as our comfort zone is often an internal compilation of defences, coping mechanisms and internal criticism. So next time you are considering your next venture outside comfort zone, ensure the direction you take reflects the work you really need to do. Consider your deepest fears and wounds and lovingly work towards healing them.
