Overcoming Fear: Break Free From Your Comfort Zone

Overcoming Fear: Break Free From Your Comfort Zone

The fear of _______. We live our lives in fear of so much, you could literally complete that sentence with over 1,000 different things. At least that’s what we’re told. We’re told we need to overcome fear. Is it Fear? Or is it worry? What’s the difference? Fear is a response to a perceived threat. Worry is concern about something that might happen. I’ve never thought about the difference between worry and fear until I started writing this entry. I’m not afraid I’m going to fail. I’m worried I’m going to fail. I’m not afraid of what people will think of me. I’m worried about what others may think of me. These aren’t perceived threats. These are potential situations that may or may not happen. These are thoughts we put into our minds as we contemplate everything that could happen. It can be very difficult to reason in the moment that our thoughts are just that. This practice of changing fear into worry has helped me change what feels like a Big Fear into just a worry.

So how are Fear/Worry connected to our Comfort Zone?

The feeling of the perceived fear/worry may be the monster that is holding us back from breaking free from our comfort zone. Being comfortable is a great feeling. So great in fact that why would we ever want to push aside a feeling that makes us feel so secure? Well, anyone who has stepped outside their comfort zone in life knows all the powerful feelings that come with it. These feelings are so deep and invigorating that it makes us feel so alive. Staying in your comfort zone is staying at the same corporate job for 30+ years. Predictable days one after the other. The comfort zone is for some, but not for all. Many high profile comedians have often said that taking too much time off from performing on a stage reduces their sharpness. They need that uneasiness and unpredictability to stay on top of their game. If we stay in our comfort zone for an extended period of time, the “what could be’s in life” start to slip away.

For those that have a wonder of the “what could be’s” in life, but are also unsure of what will happen if those wonder’s are pursued, are those who should experience the deep feelings that come with it. How often do you hear from the people who regret leaving their comfort zone wishing they wouldn’t have done it? Regret is usually saved the moments that didn’t happen rather than the one’s that did.

Leaving your comfort zone isn’t permanent. You can always return. Leaving your comfort zone IS Taking Flyt. It is pursuing your potential. It’s proving yourself in the face of all the unknowns.

Take one step. Maybe two. Embrace the feeling of worry. The comfort zone will be there when you need to return.

-Take Flyt