Have you ever been somewhere that you say, “this is a good place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here?” I bet you are picturing places in your mind right now. I know I am.   What is it about those places that make you not want to live there?

There are various reasons why people might say this. It could be weather, lack of jobs, lack of “things” to do, too small, too big, etc. What I am trying to figure out is why more people don’t feel this way about The Comfort Zone.

The Comfort Zone is a great place to visit, but nobody should live there. The CZ is too easy. It is a place for rest. According to the Oxford Dictionary, comfort means “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.”  Everyone needs to spend time here, but should want more than comfort.   This is a great place to be after a significant time climbing the mountain. The key is to use it as a resting place, not a home. The summit still awaits you.

The greatest challenge to overcome the CZ is our own minds. The CZ lulls us to sleep. Makes us complacent. Encourages us to be average. It warns us of the dangers if you step outside of it. It makes us feel safe, secure, and comfortable.  The CZ is not a perfect place, but because it may be easier, it is understandable why people may want to stay there.

Why is this a place we shouldn’t want to stay? Simple. Nothing great has ever come from the comfort zone.   Some good things, yes, but nothing great. Innovation has never come from inside the CZ. Innovation comes to pull people out of it.

Life is to be lived. Life should be an adventure. The CZ should serve as the place to rest before we take the next hill.   The CZ looks different for everyone. Like a fingerprint, they are all different. They key is to stretch yourself.

Here are some ideas to get yourself out of your CZ:

• Define what your CZ actually looks like.
• What will your life be like in 5, 10, 15 years, if you say in the CZ?
• Take a risk. You don’t need to tackle large ones at first.  Start small.
• Make a fool of yourself.   Forget for once what people think of you and enjoy yourself.
• Face one of your fears. Just pick one and conquer it.
• Set a goal and actually work tirelessly to achieve it.
• Spend more time with family and friends who are adventurous.
• Eat a cookie. I’m not sure if it will help, but sounds delicious right now.

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. – Oprah Winfrey