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Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

This post was most recently updated on February 23rd, 2014

 

https://www.donnamerrilltribe.comThis past week, my husband and I decided to take a few days and go on a spontaneous trip.  We had to be in Maryland on Sunday for our grand-daughter’s first ballet recital.

 

We didn’t want to miss that for the world.  We live in NY and they’re in a D.C. suburb.

 

I don’t like to travel by car, but was determined to get out of my comfort zone.  Abandon the laptop and head for the hills.

 

 

We left on a few days ahead of time so we could adventure to a place we had never been before.  So we literally headed for the hills… of West Virginia.

 

So out of my Comfort Zone!

 

We landed in West Virginia.  So here we are, two New Yorkers traveling through the glorious mountains saying Ohh and Ahh!   After an hour, I needed a restaurant…a real one.  So we headed to Morgantown where we found a Japanese restaurant.

 

It was fairly good, considering there wasn’t a single Japanese person working there.  But when I ordered my sake “hot” they couldn’t figure out how to do it.  Hmm, “Strange”, I thought.  After several coaching suggestions from me, they got it the right way.   Do I sound like a snob?  Yes, I must admit I am a food snob.

 

We traveled the next day through more mountains.  Was I out of my comfort zone? OH, YES!

 

Here’s a few reasons why.

 

  1. I do Not like road trips
  2. I like spontaneity, but I need the comforts of good dining.
  3. I like hotels, not motels.  We stayed at a motel (of course).
  4. I knew we had another 4 hour drive to visit my grand-daughter, and was anxious about yet another road trip.
  5. We had an 8 hour drive home on Sunday.
  6. There is nothing but poor choices for food on the highways.
  7. I have a lightning phobia and the forecast called for storms all weekend (Thank God it didn’t happen!  But the forecasts were almost as bad).
  8. I’d rather take a plane anytime than to be in the confines of a car.

 

So there you have it. 8 examples of why I was out of my comfort zone.  Why did I do it?  Because I needed to sort of “boot camp” myself and create a challenge to things I’d never do when I’m in my right mind… or should I say, my familiar mind.  That gives me the strength and fortitude to be a better businesswoman!

 

This does not mean that you must make yourself miserable to get out of your comfort zone.  But occasionally you need to do things and go places you wouldn’t usually. Getting out of your comfort zone is good to build strength of character.

 

When marketing on the internet, there are many times that you have to get out of your comfort zone.  Challenging yourself in any way gets you used to doing that. Even a simple road trip.  Everything you do in life has an effect.  If you stay in a tiny box, that is how your life will be – just like that tiny box.

 

If you get out of the box as much as you can, overcoming obstacles becomes habitual.  That is the first step of moving mountains.  Don’t let anything stand in your way!  While I am associating this story with marketing, the same goes for love, moving, or any other situation in your life that is uncomfortable for you.

 

I cannot tell you the number of clients I have that don’t move from their homes because they are afraid of making a decision, or following their hearts.  Same goes for love.  Many of my clients complain that they cannot find “the one” because they are staying in their comfort zone and making the same mistake over and over again.

 

Then there are the clients I have that want to take the leap and go into business for themselves.  They really want to, but are afraid that they will fail.  They are afraid of spending money.  Most of all I find that they want to do it, but will never follow through.

 

Internet marketing is a continuous learning process.  Do it right, or not at all.  It is commitment to learning as well as leading.

 

Most people won’t take that extra mile.  They prefer to stay in their familiar box, even when it gets them nowhere or even causes them misery.

 

So live a little.  Inconvenience yourself and step out of that box.  You will emerge with a whole different perspective, as I did this week.

 

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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16 Responses to Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

  1. Glyna Humm June 24, 2010 at 10:15 pm #

    Donna – Awesome analogies! Getting out of our comfort zones will always teach us new life lessons whether it be traveling or trying new things on the internet. We all need to “go for it” more often. I love your writing style – I felt like I was on that trip with you!
    .-= Glyna Humm´s last blog ..Shiny New Objects Aren’t Always a Bad Thing! =-.

    • Dona Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 24, 2010 at 10:51 pm #

      thanks Glyna for your kind words. I push myself out of comfort zones all the time. Why? Because I’m learning new things every day that challenge me. It makes me feel ALIVE!
      .-= Dona Merrill´s last blog ..10 TIPS ON BRANDING YOURSELF =-.

  2. Dona Merrill
    Twitter:
    June 20, 2010 at 4:43 pm #

    Teresa, yes, those little steps are way important. I always think of that movie where they suggest “baby steps” and that’s what we need sometimes!
    .-= Dona Merrill´s last blog ..Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone! =-.

  3. Teresa Ivory June 19, 2010 at 11:58 am #

    Love it! This post is great, Donna! We all need the encouragement to step outside that comfort zone. Even if it’s just a little step, it can yield great results. Thanks for leading the way for so many!
    .-= Teresa Ivory´s last blog ..Success Stories: Venus Recommends =-.

  4. Janette Stoll June 18, 2010 at 2:32 am #

    Hi Donna,

    Excellent tips again! The interesting thing about stepping out of your comfort zone is that once you do it, it’s an amazing sense of achievement which leads to confidence. That’s really how confidence is built- from doing.

    Janette
    .-= Janette Stoll´s last blog ..Another product launch? How to use it in marketing your network marketing business =-.

  5. Faith Barnard June 17, 2010 at 1:34 am #

    Donna thank you for sharing your story with us. Sharing our fears and how we overcame them is so powerful. People want to know that if you could do it, that they can too. I love road trips however I can really relate to the poor food available on the highways of the U.S.

    You are so right, so many people want the benefits of entrepreneurship but are not willing to step outside of their comfort zone. The truth is our comfort zone is really not comfortable and leads to a life of quiet desperation.

    I’d rather have a few minutes or hours of discomfort than to really not live my life to the fullest.

    Faith

  6. admin June 15, 2010 at 9:02 pm #

    Thanks so much for those encouraging words! I like to celebrate every time I step out of my comfort zone. It’s like giving yourself a gold star.
    Thanks again
    Donna

  7. Dr Linda Douglas June 15, 2010 at 3:36 pm #

    Donna:

    Hey, hats off to you! It is amazing that as we face and walk through, any fear or area of challenge in our lives; we come out the other side with a glow of confidence and the warrior within us, takes a deep breath and awaits the next growth opportunity! How alive is that!
    .-= Dr Linda Douglas´s last blog ..BREAKTHROUGH for PROSTATE CANCER? =-.

  8. Sandy Abrams June 15, 2010 at 5:11 am #

    Donna, this is so timely. I’m working something that is really taking me out of my comfort zone right now and I’m convinced that if I don’t follow through that I will really put a road block in front of my business growth.

    Your story is so inspirational and I’m proud of you for facing up to those self imposed limitations and doing it anyway.

    Thanks for this.

    Sandy
    .-= Sandy Abrams´s last blog ..Betcha Thought They Were The Same! =-.

    • Dona Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 15, 2010 at 4:35 pm #

      Yes, Sandy it is good to take a challenge. I guess I’m getting ready for the MLM challenge Jonathan Budd is starting.
      I have to be very discipline to follow this course.
      I call it boot camp of the soul.
      Thanks for your comment,

      Donna
      .-= Dona Merrill´s last blog ..Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone! =-.

  9. admin June 15, 2010 at 2:30 am #

    THANKS VENUS!!!
    I try to get out of the comfort zone as much as I can in order to build myself up stronger. I feel like I’m putting myself through boot camp, but I feel that it is my journey at the moment. Everything has a reason. I usually find it out later.
    tee hee
    thanks
    Donna

  10. Venus :) June 15, 2010 at 1:01 am #

    Donna,

    what an inspiring story to get out of the comfort zone.
    I love traveling by car but I see your point. I prefer car to anything else because I am very comfortable in a luxury car and can take anything I desire with me.
    Your point is bringing me to the thought that we are ultimately afraid of success although we disguise it as fear of failure to excuse ourselves not to do it.
    Thank you for the inspiration,
    Venus 🙂
    .-= Venus :)´s last blog ..Who Are You Really? (part 5) =-.

  11. Val Wilcox June 15, 2010 at 12:38 am #

    Donna,
    What a great adventure you allowed to happen. You stepped outside your comfort zone big time! Bet the trip through the mountains was fabulous. Think about the great stories you have, especially when you laugh at your discomfort and how you overcame it!

    Woo Hoo,
    Val 🙂
    .-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..It’s All About The Story =-.

    • admin June 15, 2010 at 2:29 am #

      I have this kick that I’m on that I challenge myself every day for something new. I have to work mind, body and spirit in order for me to be successful. Emotions count too. I feel it is very important to challenge my emotions. It is a large part of my being.

      Also adaptation. Putting myself out of the box and adapting to things I’m not comfortable with gives me strength.

      So I made it back in one piece and feel like SUPERWOMAN!

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