{"id":26439,"date":"2024-05-08T01:24:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T07:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/?post_type=blog&p=26439"},"modified":"2024-05-07T08:31:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T14:31:39","slug":"how-to-leave-your-comfort-zone-and-do-hard-things","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/blog\/how-to-leave-your-comfort-zone-and-do-hard-things\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Do Hard Things"},"content":{"rendered":"

Growing up, I hated sleepovers. I preferred the familiarity of my own bed, and I really liked being asleep by 9:00 p.m. Talking to people also scared me to death, so rather than participate in the sleepover\u2019s requisite games and ghost stories, I was the kid who hid in the corner.<\/p>\n

My mom saw my tendency to hide, so from a relatively young age I was lovingly pushed out of my relational comfort zone. Beginning at age 13, I had to call and make my own doctor appointments. I hated doing that. I begged my mom to do it for me, but she refused. She also refused to speak for me once we arrived at the appointment.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve gotten older, I\u2019ve realized the value of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I now know that my mom wasn\u2019t trying to be mean \u2014 she was simply encouraging me to not be afraid of trying new things. If I\u2019d had my way as a child, I\u2019d probably lack basic social skills and wouldn\u2019t have pursued higher education or traveled internationally, among other things. I\u2019m glad that\u2019s not the case (thanks, Mom).<\/p>\n

Your struggle may not be as basic as knowing how to socialize with your peers. You may just be stuck in a rut<\/a> or in need of a professional or personal challenge to take things to the next level. Either way, we all have areas where we can grow. Here are several practical steps you can take as you seek to push yourself.<\/p>\n

1. Discover potential areas of growth.<\/h4>\n

It can be hard to see your own blind spots; that\u2019s why it\u2019s helpful to ask those closest to you for some honest feedback \u2014 whether about your behavior, attitude, relational skills or something else. Receiving their words may not be easy, but it\u2019s the first step to growth. Take your friends\u2019 feedback to the Lord and ask Him to speak His truth into what they\u2019ve shared with you.<\/p>\n

2. Do at least one hard thing every day.<\/h4>\n

After you\u2019ve identified a few areas of potential growth, do something about it. If you struggle with being late to work, find a way to make yourself wake up earlier. If you struggle with time in the Word, find a plan that you can realistically stick to, and get accountability to make it happen.<\/p>\n

I try to challenge myself every day in my own areas that need improvement. Sometimes it\u2019s as simple as calling to make an appointment, because \u2014 let\u2019s be honest \u2014 I still don\u2019t enjoy calling strangers on the phone. Other times it\u2019s pushing myself harder on a run, driving a new route, applying for graduate school, or even forcing myself to spend time with people when I\u2019d prefer to stay home. It’s about taking just one step out of your comfort zone.<\/p>\n

3. Do something you\u2019ve never done before.<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve discovered the joy in doing things I never thought I could do. When I was a senior in high school, I challenged myself to run cross country. I went from not running at all to running 40 miles a week. I felt so accomplished the first time I ran three miles without stopping.<\/p>\n

Two years ago I did something really crazy. Given my fear of social situations, it baffled even my family. I left behind all my familiarity and went on the World Race \u2014 an 11-month missions trip. I went from hating sleepovers to spending a year sleeping in 72 different beds (I counted) across 16 different countries, sharing the love of Jesus with complete strangers. That, my friend, is a testimony of the Lord\u2019s gentle faithfulness and encouragement in my life.<\/p>\n

These things originally seemed impossible because I believed the lie that I couldn\u2019t change. But our God is in the business of change. So step out and let the Lord shatter your own expectations.<\/p>\n

4. Challenge yourself in your walk with the Lord.<\/h4>\n

A life of challenge also extends to our walk with Christ. As believers, we\u2019re called to grow. In Jesus\u2019 conversations with people in the Gospels, we see Him challenge them all the time. He challenged the rich young ruler to sell all he had. He challenged the status quo in the temple market when He turned over the tables. And He challenged the religious leaders\u2019 thought processes constantly. Jesus lived a life of challenge, and that\u2019s exactly how we are called to live as Christians.<\/p>\n

Challenging myself spiritually means seeking a mentor even when I feel uncomfortable approaching someone. Or it means committing to a year-long Bible reading plan. It also means memorizing Scripture, leading a Bible study and mentoring others. These are all hard things that may not have an immediate reward. But over time, I\u2019ve recognized my growth in the Lord through small, consistent steps.<\/p>\n

5. Reflect on your journey.<\/h4>\n

I love looking back and seeing how far I\u2019ve come, and journaling has been instrumental in that process. What seemed hard yesterday is now part of normal life today. As you embrace a life of challenge, be sure to write about it. Then go back and reflect on your journey.<\/p>\n

You can also start a reverse bucket list where you write down things you\u2019ve done that you never thought you could do. Here\u2019s a sample of my reverse bucket list:<\/p>\n

Melanie\u2019s Reverse Bucket List<\/strong><\/p>\n