Are you stepping outside of your comfort zone? Growth is only achieved if we take risks, both personally and professionally. If you want your business to grow, you need to be able to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace change.
But if stretching that comfort zone isn’t something you’re used to doing, what does it mean, and how can you get started?
Here are 7 different ways you can start stepping outside of your comfort zone in business and reaping the associated rewards.
#1: Embracing new technology to expand your comfort zone
Technology is one area that is constantly changing and evolving. You don’t always need to be at the forefront of those changes, but you must be willing to embrace new ideas. This includes using a mobile app and live chat for your business and ensuring you’re always using the best software and tools for the job at hand.
#2: Delegating and outsourcing
Delegating and outsourcing are two things that don’t always come naturally to a business owner! It’s so easy to get into the mindset that you’re the only person that will do a job well. The problem is that thought pattern can be disastrous for your business and productivity! It’s one of the reasons why business owners get so time-poor and overwhelmed – and why you need to find the time to outsource.
So get comfortable with growing a team and delegating work to get better and faster results; it’s one of the best ways to allow your business the room it needs to grow.
#3: Upping your own game
Another way you can step outside of your comfort zone is to up your game. That includes staying up-to-date with industry news, learning new skills, being brave and generally trying new things. Because you don’t want to be the reason why your business isn’t growing at the rate you desire. [Check out ‘Are you holding your business back?’ for more help with this.]
#4: Adapting to the changing needs of your clients
Client patterns and behaviours will change over time, so you need to be willing to adapt to those changing needs. This includes bringing out new solutions and packages, adapting your working processes and monitoring the trends of your clients so that you can be proactive in your approach.
#5: Setting goals that stretch you and your comfort zone
Are you on track with your business goals? It’s a question all business owners need to ask themselves. But you also need to ensure you’re setting goals that stretch you, especially if you want your business to grow. If you’re only setting goals that are easy to reach, you’ll find yourself stagnating, and if you let that happen, you may even find your business growth declining. So dream big and set goals that feel uncomfortable because that’s how you’ll know they’re stretching that comfort zone!
#6: Growing your business status and reputation
Reputation and status are both things that take time to grow. But there are ways you can speed up the process, especially if you’re willing to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and look forward to new opportunities. This includes putting yourself in the running for business awards and competitions and increasing your visibility via networking opportunities. But also think about expanding your PR presence and putting yourself out there as a guest speaker – as they can help massively.
#7: Doing what’s needed to expand that comfort zone and get visible
Visibility is a big issue for many, and it can often hold you back from gaining the reputation and status you desire. But if you want to succeed in business, you need to get comfortable with putting yourself out there in ways that suit your audience. Video and podcasting, in particular, are popular for most audiences. But also think about potential advertising opportunities available to you, including sponsorships and paid promotional advertising.
Another way you can get visible is to be consistent with your social media presence. So many business owners are on social media but either lack consistency in their actions or face fears about being visible.
It’s all about taking small, consistent action when it comes to stepping outside of your comfort zone. Change can feel incredibly uncomfortable, and you need to be comfortable with those feelings, especially if you want to grow. The key is to ensure you’re being proactive with your business, setting goals that stretch you and being proactive in your approach to expanding that comfort zone around yourself and your business.
And if you need help with any of the above, do get in touch. We’re here to positively impact passionate business owners like yourself by providing you with the support you need to grow your business effectively. So reach out and let’s chat about the needs of your business – you’ll find our contact information here.
