Being inside our comfort zone is, well, nice and comfy! It feels good because it’s certain, safe and not too challenging. In fact, it’s just plain sailing. Nothing can seem to rock this boat. But being stuck inside this place will do you no good. Being inside your comfort zone for too long means you aren’t trying and experimenting new things. It means you’ve become stuck in a comfort rut. And who wants to leave all that snuggle and warmth for some uncomfortableness? I bet not many. 

But here’s the thing, you can’t grow inside your comfort zone. You won’t develop when you aren’t being challenged and you certainly won’t be pushing any boundaries or doing anything you’ll later be proud of. But 3 years ago, something really strange happened. We had a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that pushed us all outside of our comfort zones. Whether we liked it or not. We weren’t given a choice!

We tend to forget just how uncomfortable the beginning was since we humans are super great at forgetting how bad the bad starts were. And that’s a good thing! Plus, we’re so much more adaptable that we think, and give ourselves credit for. When covid suddenly hit (with zero warning) everything was flipped upside down. We had new realities. But it didn’t take very long till we were grooving, baking banana bread while Tik-Toking! And we learnt not only how to cope in this very strange new normal but how to thrive too.

Bye-Bye!

Thanks to the onset of covid, our zones of comfort had completely vanished but it was during this sea of change that some of the most amazing things were happening. Just look at how many businesses were founded during covid, how many people took on new careers, started new projects, ventures and learnt new skills. Look at all this technological innovation from blockchain (though read here about Web3 if, like me, all this stuff confuses you!) to biotech and literally everything weird and wonderful in between. 

Many folks found themselves taking on new, healthier habits like working out, spending more time outdoors, surrounding themselves with their loved ones and many were saving and investing more!

Here’s the thing, if you don’t make a choice, then life will make it for you. And you much rather be in control than the other way round. 

Try It. See Where It Takes You!

During covid was when I discovered a real passion for personal finance and writing which led me to launch this blog I’m writing now! I think that had we not been forced outside of our comfort zone, we might not have dug so deep into what makes us tick, what gives us meaning and what gives us a purpose. Because that’s what we all want. We don’t just want money. We want meaning, too. 

See, leaving your comfort zone ain’t all that bad. Okay, I’d much rather we had no pandemic and found another way to leave our comfort zone but hey, this is our new reality. And if I’m honest with you, these past years really forced me to figure out what I wanted. Beforehand, I was simply plodding along. Doing what I was doing but without much meaning. 

Where To Start? 

Leaving your comfort zone means doing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, uncertain and uneasy. It means taking on that promotion at work. The one you’re not 100% ready for but reckon you should just go for anyway. It means applying for that job, even if you don’t meet 100% of the skill requirements because if you can do it all, well then you won’t be learning! And if you aren’t learning then you’ll be stagnant. And this is one of the worst feelings. 

This year, I was offered a freelancing gig on a topic that, let’s just say was a little outa my remit! But since I love writing (and finance) I just said yes. For every article I wrote it required way more research but hey it meant I learnt something. And that feeling you get when you know you’re pushing yourself is a real good one. First say yes and then figure out the rest later! That’s how you’ll grow. 

Don’t miss out on all sorts of exciting opportunities simply because you feel like you can’t do it. Often, the barriers to change are the ones we create in our mind. We tend to overestimate the bad (aka those worst possible scenarios that will most likely never happen) and we underestimate the good. So I say go for it. It’ll be a challenge at first but then you’ll get into the groove of it and you’ll be so glad you went for it.

Change is scary. Because it’s so unknown. We humans really hate uncertainty so much so that we’ll do anything to avoid it. But change really is the only constant. And if you dive in, head-first, you’ll discover talents and traits you never knew you had. All it needs is a change in mindset. 

If all you see is change as something that’s daunting. Something to be avoided, at all costs. Then you’ll be missing out on a whole world of opportunity. 

Push yourself. Challenge yourself. Experience the unknown. You’re capable of way more than you know. 

If you’re waiting for the perfect moment, for when you’re one hundred percent ready, you’ll be waiting a lifetime. 

We were born for change. Show the world what you’re made of! 

Disclaimer: This blog is not investment or financial advice. It is my opinion only. This blog is not a personal recommendation to buy/sell any security, or to adopt any such investment strategy. Always do your own research before you commit to any investment.