Break Through Your Comfort Zone
Break Through Your Comfort Zone to Achieve Your Entrepreneurial Dreams
You’ve dreamed of starting a home business so you can “call the shots,” set your own schedule, and enjoy unlimited wealth-building potential. If you’re like most Americans, however, one barrier is keeping you from turning your dream into a lucrative reality – your comfort zone.
In one ear, a voice whispers all the benefits that come from being your own boss. In the other ear, a voice reminds you of how good you have it now working for someone else – a steady paycheck, paid vacations and health care benefits.
What the second voice neglects to point out is how much you’re missing in life by not embracing risk. How do you snuff out this voice of “status quo” to move forward in life? What can you do to break free from your comfort zone to achieve greater success?
1. Define your dream. What do you want for your future? Do you want more time to spend with family or greater freedom to travel the globe? What would make life more fulfilling to you? The more specific your dream, the more likely you’ll be to attain it.
2. Determine the right vehicle to make your dream a reality. Read business opportunity magazines and books to see what kind of ventures interest you. Talk with people you know who run home-based businesses. Find out why they chose their particular industries to help you in deciding what type of business you want for yourself. Research what initial investment you need to make and the income potential you should expect. The more clearly you identify your target, the more confidence you’ll have in your ability to hit it, giving you the psychological boost you need to take the first step out of your comfort zone.
3. Design a road map. Once you have set your goal, what steps do you need to take to achieve it?
For example, suppose you’re a staff writer for a PR firm looking to start a home-based public relations writing business. Where do you begin? Start by putting your goal — your destination — down on paper. Next to your goal, write a deadline as to when you want to achieve it. Then ask yourself what you need to do to reach your destination. How much money should you save? What research do you need to complete? What training or formal education should you acquire?
By writing down your goal and planning action steps to achieve it, you’ll increase your conviction and determination to break free from your comfort zone at whatever the cost.
4. Identify your hurdles and challenges. What’s keeping you from stepping out of your comfort zone? List your answers on paper. Then for each obstacle, brainstorm at least ten possible solutions.
For example, suppose one of your obstacles is the fear of criticism. Ask yourself, “What can I do to overcome this barrier?” One solution is to repeat affirmations such as, “I like myself . . . I like myself” over and over until you are so confident in yourself that you no longer feel fettered by other people’s attitudes toward you. Remember, don’t stop with one or two solutions – go for all ten. Usually your most creative ideas come in the last few.
When you pin-point the barriers that keep you in your comfort zone, you enhance your capability to overcome them.
5. Find a mentor. Before Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier in the 1950’s, the world thought it was an unachievable goal. A few days after Bannister’s ground-breaking performance, several other runners broke the once “impossible” barrier. How could this happen? Bannister’s accomplishment abolished the self-imposed limitations in the minds of the other milers as they saw first-hand that breaking four minutes was really possible.
This is the kind of impact a good mentor will have on you. The accomplishments of this person will inspire you to achieve great things yourself. You will gain practical wisdom on how to overcome barriers to success specific to your business. A mentor will encourage and motivate you to move full-speed ahead toward your goals.
6. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Who you spend time with strongly influences whether or not you break out of your comfort zone. People who don’t understand the entrepreneurial life (and don’t care to) will hold you back. These people say things like, “Why don’t you come back down to earth.” Or, “You better keep your day job.”
Look for friends who know the ups and downs of running a home-based business and can offer the insight and encouragement you need to propel yourself out of your comfort zone toward your business dream.
6. Always think positive. If a boxer, during a match, allows any negative thoughts to enter his mind, he’s doomed for defeat. Why? Negative thoughts undermine his confidence. Instead of thinking of what he needs to do to win, he begins to panic. His fears become self-fulfilling prophecies, and within a few punches, he’s knocked out.
The same goes for entrepreneurs. If you allow negative thoughts to prevail, you’ll undermine the confidence you need to break free from your comfort zone. Even when you muster up enough courage to pursue your dream; fear, doubt, and worry will quickly shove you back.
Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Never allow “I can’t” to spring up in your mind. Think “I can, and I will!” Read books on personal development and attend seminars by top motivational speakers. This way, you fill your mind with high-octane thoughts that will fuel your desire and enhance your ability to achieve great things outside your comfort zone.
7. Commit for the long-haul. Don’t take a “try and see” approach because when times get tough in the early stages – as they do in any start-up business – you’ll feel compelled to give up your dream to find a more stable “real job.”
Draft a contract to yourself. State your goal and list the steps you need to take to get there. Then commit, for a period of at least one year, to do the activities you need to do to succeed in your business.
When you make a long-term commitment, you’ll develop a strong belief in yourself. Nothing will be able to hold you back from pursuing your dream.
Why stay in your comfort zone? How can anyone be fulfilled in life by dwelling in a cocoon of mediocrity? Take the first step toward your entrepreneurial dream, no matter what your fears. Over time, the knots in your stomach will dissipate and you’ll see your dream materialize into a profitable reality.
