Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a crucial step for your career. However, it can be challenging due to our natural instinct to resist change.
Indeed, the process of growth can be uncomfortable due to fear of the unknown. But by being open to change and finding the right support, you can overcome resistance and embrace new opportunities.
What does stepping out of one’s comfort zone mean in a career context? It could mean, for instance, learning a new skill or trying out a new role. It requires taking on a growth mindset, an open-minded approach to learning that allows employees to be go-getters while remaining humble.
Individuals with this mindset tend to believe the cup is half full: a trait crucial in today’s fast-changing business world, as it allows for the adoption of new skills and capabilities to stay ahead of the game.
So, why is it important to step out of your comfort zone? Here are five reasons.
1. It allows you to grow
Staying within your comfort zone can feel safe and secure, but it also means you avoid making mistakes. Sadly, many workers (and some managers) view failure as a wholly negative thing, when really, moments of failure can be seen as lessons that offer opportunities for learning and improvement.
If you don’t step outside your comfort zone, you may miss out on new experiences, skills and connections crucial to boosting your status in the workplace.
2. It increases confidence
Having a growth mindset often leads to higher self-esteem and self-image. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone can, therefore, increase confidence, especially when you realise your fears aren’t so scary after all.
This can positively impact various aspects of your life as you understand yourself and discover your capabilities.
3. It allows for greater creativity
Moving out of your comfort zone can be beneficial for those who are feeling stuck in a rut. By doing so, you can allow your creative juices to flow more freely once again.
Creativity can be beneficial to your work and other endeavours, and also provides a healthy outlet for your emotions.
Engaging in new activities or experiences can reignite creativity, as it forces you to think through new ideas and avoid depending too much on muscle memory or old patterns. This can further help you discover new interests and passions.
4. It future-proofs your career
Stepping out of your comfort zone is not just essential for personal growth, it also provides career protection. As technological progress and trends accelerate industry changes, job roles can change rapidly.
As such, adopting new skills or taking on new roles can better prepare you for the future by ensuring you remain relevant in your workplace. It also opens up career opportunities elsewhere should you decide to leave your current organisation.
5. It prepares you for economic changes
The pandemic has highlighted the unpredictable nature of occupational change, including economic crises like inflation and recessions. To be better prepared, it’s essential to upskill and reskill to adapt to industry shifts and future role changes.
How to step out of your comfort zone
1. Say yes to things you’d normally say no to
Accept tasks that you wouldn’t usually do or that are out of your perceived scope of capabilities. It could also mean a change of attitude: for instance, you might say “yes” to that lunch invitation with colleagues that you usually decline.
2. Don’t think, just do
Holding back from trying new things is a case of mind over matter, so avoid overthinking and negativity to avoid limiting yourself.
3. Don’t be afraid to fail
Fear of failure can lead to a lack of action, while those who embrace failure can learn from it. So, before embarking on a new task, remember to view failure as an opportunity for personal and professional development.
This article was originally written by Hanis Izzatul for jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.