The great philosopher and lifestyle coach T. Harv Ecker said, “Nobody ever died of discomfort, yet living in the name of comfort has killed more ideas, more opportunities, more actions, and more growth than everything else combined. Comfort kills!”

And none other than the famous American inventor Thomas Edison stated, “We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present.”

Why is stepping outside of your comfort zone so important for achieving everything you want in life, and why is it so hard?

CRUSH (4) The level of risk in your life directly relates to your possible rewards, but human beings are actually hard-wired for comfort and low risk. Your comfort zone is defined as “a behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk.” But way back in 1908, psychologists John D. Dodson and Robert M. Yerkes noticed that relative comfort caps performance levels, with optimal performance and rewards only attained just outside of someone’s comfort zone.

Here 7 ways to crush your comfort zone:

1) Understand the Parameters of Your Personal Comfort Zone

Define the shape and size of your comfort zone, and then aim for taking action just outside. Your brain is supercharged when it is presented with situations it has not encountered before, or realities which it finds risky and new. This is where wonderful thoughts and ideas can be harnessed to put you on a direct path with your desired destiny.

2) Realize That Existing in Your Comfort Zone is Holding You Back

Countless scientific studies have shown that simply being content with current comfort slows down your brain wave activity, and actually will make you less aware of potentially life-changing positive opportunities. Mild discomfort causes action on your part, as your brain becomes more active and you begin to become more aware of your surroundings.

3) Never Be Scared to Make a Fool of Yourself

We much too often worry about what other people think. You want to know a big secret that few human beings ever comprehend? Only a very few people care about how you look, and whether you stumble or succeed. And the few friends and family members who do care about your well-being will always support you when you falter.

Think about the most magnetic and lovable individuals you have encountered. Almost certainly they were not meek, quiet people. Acting crazy and foolish from time to time could get you one step closer to those things that you desire the most.

AND again most people are not looking that closely anyway.

4) Face Your Fears

Everyone has had huge fears in their lives, but it is usually those tiny and subtle fears that keep you from achieving on a day-to-day basis. Just like the fear of making a fool of yourself, you may be scared of alienating friends and family, or you may stay inside because you are fearful that you could get stuck out in the rain.

Is it really worth worrying about circumstances and fears which have not even evidenced themselves? Work on conquering your small fears, and you will find yourself gaining confidence to battle and overcome your biggest fears.

5) Live in the “Now” Moments Life Offers

Planning is great, and is certainly required for any true success. But over-planning can sometimes keep you from living in the present moment. Embrace what is going on around you, keeping your eyes open for beauty, inspiration and challenges.

By living in the “Now” you spontaneously get your conscious brain working to adapting and enjoying events and circumstances that are presently unfolding, and are sometimes out of your control. Appreciate the present, because the past is gone, and your future is not guaranteed.

6) Ask Yourself, “What’s the worst that can happen?”

And then answer yourself, being extremely honest. Human beings have taken control of the planet because of incredible survival instincts. One of those instincts is to avoid risk. Because of this, our brain often gets us to imagine that potential negative results from our actions are going to be cataclysmic.

But really, what is the worst that can happen if you fail at an endeavor? You should instead ask yourself what is the best that can happen if you step outside of your comfort zone.

 7) Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

There are billions of people alive at this very moment. To even consider comparing yourself to anyone else, or to the achievements they have made, is incredibly limiting. You are a unique individual that is capable of incredible things. And when you stop comparing yourself to others, and begin to move outside of your comfort zone, you will be amazed at what you find is possible after you rid yourself of pointless and self-limiting comparisons.

Hopefully this will help you gain more confidence to step out of your comfort zone or completely crush it! Let me know what you are going to do to step out and do bigger things!