I have written about the importance of going outside of your comfort zone as an entrepreneur as long as this blog has been around. I could wax poetic about how or why we need to get uncomfortable for an entire post, but this quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. just sums it up so much better than I would:
“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”
But once you’re already outside of your comfort zone, what does it feel like? How do you know you’re stretching yourself?
I’ll tell you from first hand experience - a lot of the time it feels like $hit. Since I have spent a good amount of time outside of my own comfort zone, let me help you to recognize when you’re outside of yours, just so you know why you feel like crap.
- You second guess your decisions.
- Your critics, once easily ignored, suddenly rent way more head space than they deserve.
- Your old plan of action may now seem overly simplistic.
- Formerly non-existent “What If’s” suddenly spring to mind. A lot.
- Before you got outside of your comfort zone, all you could think about was getting your goal, but once outside of it, all you can think about is what will happen if you don’t reach your goal.
- You become a textbook example of the infamous “Impostor Syndrome“.
- Words start rearranging themselves in your head - for example, the phrase “I can do this!” somehow becomes “Can I do this?”
- You sometimes wonder WTF to do next.
- “Positive Thinking” suddenly doesn’t quite seem so, well, “realistic” as it used to
- Digg Trolls magically appear to be more intelligent than they really are.
So what do you do now?
Here’s the most important thing to keep in mind (no matter what else you wish you weren’t keeping in mind):
If you were strong enough to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, you have to trust yourself to get through to the other side.
So here’s ten more tips to get you through what we could call “growing pains”:
- Talk about your fears or concerns with someone out loud - the doubting voices in your head sound a lot more stupid when they come out of your mouth.
- In the big picture, even if you really screw up, you’ll be grateful for it at some point.
- Being outside of your comfort zone by nature doesn’t feel good, so feeling scared or crappy doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong.
- NOW would be a really good time to recap your accomplishments to yourself. Yeah, as in, right now.
- No matter how hard it is to think positive, you really gotta do it anyway, even if it doesn’t feel very encouraging.
- If you really get off track, you’ll know. Really.
- There’s a reason the saying “Fake it ‘Till You Make it” is still in use after all these years.
- If you’ve gotten this far, you already know that listening to your fears is a dumb move. So don’t start now.
- Nobody ever did anything great without taking a risk.
- And of course, don’t forget that a strong alcoholic drink shared with your BFF will always knock some sense into your head.
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Thanks for a new perspective on something that would normally be a roadblock. Now I’m going to keep pushing in my new efforts that I was seriously considering backing off of.
I’ll have to look at being uncomfortable as a challenge instead of giving in and reevaluating why I even bothered trying whatever it was in the first place.
Thanks again!!
Wow, you are a mind reader! I just landed my first freelance writing job on Friday, and I start today.
This is my dream, so I was beyond excited to land the job. But today I’m also feeling all of the things you listed. THANK YOU for helping me realize that I’m normal, that I’m not an imposter, and that I can do this.
I’m so glad I found your site when I did.
Wow do I ever know the Imposter Syndrome. You could add an 11th one for writers:
“You submit to a publisher and then spend 2 hours reviewing your submission and wondering if it was good enough and should you fix it and re-submit it.”
Hi Wendy - This happens to all of us and in my eperience it’s a matter of how we listen to and ignore those thoughts and feelings that will get us past them or keep us mired in them.
I agree with your ways to get through the ‘growing pains.’
No one ever makes it big without trying and as Marc Andreessen has pointed out in a few blog posts in the past, financial (and other success) is directly related to how many times you get up to bat. Once you are there, swing. You’ll have some hits, some misses, and hopefully a few homeruns!
You might be interested in a post I just did last night called Are We There Yet? When Will We Get There?! at http://www.entrepremusings.com/index.php/2007/09/30/are-we-there-yet-when-will-we-get-there/.
Aruni
I recognize myself here, especially The Imposter Syndrome, I have just taken the test. I wonder were you reading my mind, as i lay in bed this morning doing a little self criticsm of why can’t i get a blog post written quicky, doing too much self critiquing- much better when read out loud and have someone else listen and comment,
I echo your exact sentiments
A flegding entrepreneur myself, I was slow in joining the bandwagon but the experience getting out of your comfort zone was be un-nerving yet educational too
well i bet plenty of budding entrepreneur can really relate to this entry, just like me
i’ve sphinn it
Great post! Whether we like to admit it or not it’s scary to be outside our comfort zone, we’re afraid of failure & don’t want to take that next step….But this is the exact place we need to be and go in order to grow.
Life is a continual learning experience and rather than looking at these changes as obstacles…. change our thinking to use words like…challenges.
Our negative thoughts will often be our undoing… as can negative people who we share our dreams & goals with. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade!
There was so much truth (and comfort) in your post Wendy. Especially for people who work at home, (or for themselves) who don’t have the daily support of work colleagues to gee them up. I think the crazy voices in your head is something that all entrepreneurs experience - on a regular basis
I also agree that a bit of fear (from needing to pay the bills) is good; it stops me from dropping everything and running away screaming! It makes me think up ideas on how to improve things.
Thank you. This one arrived just at the right time!
Joanna
wow these are great!.. i love this post!
I’ve just discovered this site, and you’ve just earned a loyal follower
Cheers!
This article just really hits the spot with me, as somehow who is stuggling to get out “of the box.” Enjoyed this greatly. Thanks.
This was priceless! You had me rolling on the floor when I wasn’t freaking out identifying with you LOL! Thanks!
Wow, that one hit home! It genuinely does work to talk about your fears with someone who understands.
Being the creature of habit that I am, I find it difficult to step outside my comfort zone many times - at the same time, another side of me wants to keep exploring and reaching to make certain I’ve reached my full potential.
It’s just so darn hard to do both.
Another great post Wendy!
I usually start seeing those signs before I actually get out of my comfort zone.
Great post…very entertaining and boy did I identify!
One thought that came to mind was that part of the reason a successful entrepreneur always goes beyond their comforts zones is that when you feel all that craziness and chaos start happening, you actually are learning and growing and THINKING on how to solve a problem…(the one creating the chaos)
This leads us to some brilliant ideas we may not have otherwise thought of…or allows us to grow as we seek out solutions. If we are growing…we are moving forward instead of stagnating.
Thanks for the chuckle and great thoughts!
Veronica