Get Outside Your Comfort Zone and Take Risks: It's the Only Way to Grow
Janis Pettit
Part of what you signed on for when you started a small business was calculated risk-taking and moving outside your comfort zone. A client once asked when she'd get to the point where it would be easy and she could just operate her business on autopilot and just sort of float. When I told her never, she was shocked. Since change is the one constant in life, it's the same in your business.
Although the right processes and systems can make you very successful, you need to keep pushing yourself outside your comfort zone if you want to grow. Think bigger, and then act bigger. If you're not feeling just a bit of fear, you're probably operating in your safe zone. But your safe zone will soon get boring and your business will stagnate.
Realizing this was truly an "aha" moment for me, as I can be a creature of habit. Once I understood the importance of going beyond what's cozy and comfortable I vowed to do it each year and I keep that in mind when doing my yearly business planning. That has led me to take some bold actions that have literally doubled my income. So getting outside your comfort zone is a crucial business strategy. Just starting a business took courage so you just need to keep up your courage.
This is a good philosophy to apply to all aspects of your life. Getting outside of your money comfort zone is often another breakthrough process. If you start to feel comfortable making just enough to pay your bills or if you are afraid to invest in a coach, mentor or necessary training, taking that leap can change everything . . . and quickly.
Pushing the envelope a bit is really about living life to its fullest. You can get outside your comfort zone with relationships, food, exercise, travel or pretty much anything where you've settled into a rut or habit. It will put a bit of spice in your life and open up a whole new world of possibilities.
Get started on this today. Make a list of goals or ideas you've dreamed of implementing in your business, but haven't because you're afraid. Then make each of them just a bit grander. Want to increase your income by 50 percent next year? How about doubling it! Do you want to get direct access to some highly successful people who could really help you? Plan a way to meet them in person at a live event or invite them to lunch if they're local. Do you have a strong desire to write a book? What are you waiting for? Create a writing schedule and stick to it, even it it's only 20 minutes a day.
First you commit to moving outside your comfort zone. Next decide what that will mean and what specific goals you'll achieve. Then create a plan and most importantly you ACT on it as soon as possible. Just imagine what your business and your life will look like a year from now if start on this today.
About the Author
Janis Pettit offers small business coaching, and is known as the Big Results Business Design coach and marketing expert. She’s owned four successful small businesses in the last 22 years and has coached hundreds of small and solo business owners, showing them how to turn their ideas and knowledge into a 6 figure income. Get a complimentary copy of the Create a Client Windfall Quick Start Guide, plus access to an mp3 audio, 20 No Cost Ways to Market Your Small Business Online at http://smallbusiness-bigresults.com. Visit her blog at http://janispettit.com.
Janis Pettit may be contacted at http://www.smallbusiness-bigresults.com.
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