By Kristen Carter
Contributor, Career Services
It is not uncommon for professionals to remain in a comfortable job or career, which, if being honest, is not a problem, in and of itself. However, it becomes an issue when it is no longer your “sweet spot,” meaning, your work is no longer challenging, personally fulfilling, and/or offers some professional benefit. Why do individuals stay in this type of role? While there are a variety of reasons, I think the fear of taking risks is a key factor in the psychology of an employee who has decided to remain put to the detriment of his or her professional health.
A college mentor once asked if I took risks. Of course, I thought he was referring to extreme sports, like sky diving or bungee jumping. But, what he was really asking was whether I intentionally step out of my comfort zone to try new things. The answer was no. Why would one actively choose to venture out into unchartered territories and risk failing in the process? This type of behavior may be exhilarating to others, but to most, it causes extreme fear and panic.
While that conversation occurred almost nine years ago, it has stuck with me to this day. Now, I wish I could say today that I’m an avid risk taker. But, that would be untrue. However, I would say that I am more aware of my comfort levels and more intentional about pushing myself. I have also found that surrounding myself with others that regularly take risks challenges me to not be satisfied or to get too comfortable. To give you an idea of how you might intentionally step beyond yourself, I want to provide a glimpse into my own personal and professional life.
While I despise sweating, and would not classify myself a runner, one of the items on my bucket list is to finish a 5K. I purchased a treadmill from Craigslist over six months ago in hopes of it thrusting me into an active lifestyle. Let’s be real. It simply collected dust! Then, a few of my friends had signed up for a 5K this fall and were encouraging me to join. I thought this could be the goal I need to work towards, but began to give myself the speech, which included all of the excuses as to why I shouldn’t participate. Surprisingly, I finally gave in and registered. Now, I’ll be honest, I have complained a lot during the preparation process, and still don’t particularly care for running. But, I haven’t quit, and that’s what counts! I knew it was what I needed to get myself out of my comfort zone and try something that I honestly was scared to do.
At the same time, public speaking is a common fear of many professionals. Do I enjoy speaking in front of people? Absolutely not. Do I think it will benefit me greatly in my career and open future doors down the road for me? Most definitely, yes. Knowing this, I requested my manager push me into more speaking opportunities. Of course, I’m going to start small and begin by providing team trainings as a way to ease into this process. But, eventually, I would like to present at a conference. I challenge you to ask your manager for more opportunities to help develop those mediocre skills you may possess.
A few tips to consider when looking to step out of your comfort zone are provided by author Mary Curran-Hackett in her article “Six Steps You Can Take to Move Out of Your Comfort Zone”:
- Become brutally self-aware. You must be honest with yourself!
- Don’t accept that you can’t do something. Stop trying to talk yourself out of trying new things!
- Do something a little uncomfortable every day. This will stretch you!
So, how do you plan on making yourself uncomfortable this week?
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