Don’t look for comfort.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

“Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of your comfort zone.” This quote is often used to encourage people to push beyond their comfort zones for great effects. However, when we see examples of confidence, we often only see the end results and not the efforts that led to them.

To understand the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s important to first define what the comfort zone is. It’s a place where you feel safe and comfortable, without pressure, anxiety, or stress.

Initially, it may seem like a good place to be.

But why is it harmful to stay in your comfort zone? The key to personal growth is embracing fear and change. When we are comfortable, we are less likely to make changes and confront our fears. As a result, our lives become stagnant, with no progress or growth.

Learning about your fears and why you are staying in your comfort zone is essential, so make sure you make time for that.

Regardless of what fear you have, the methods for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone are relatively similar. I say “relatively” because how people choose to act in order to succeed and strive in life varies from person to person. There is no specific method that you need to take to push your comfort zone.

What matters is that you do it in a way that makes sense for you.

Remember, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. This quote makes more sense once you understand what your comfort zone really is and what comes when you begin to make changes in your life. “Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone.” ― Shannon L. Alder

If you want to grow, your comfort zone is where that desire dies. Because it’s safe and easy, it’s natural for people to want to stay there. Yet staying there also means never moving forward and growing. As Dr. Margie Warrell explains to Forbes, “Growth and comfort can’t ride the same horse.” She explains that we often forget about the risk of not taking risks. In other words, you risk missing out on the life you have the potential to live.

Also known as having a fixed mindset, staying comfortable doesn’t allow you to experience other possibly positive factors of life.