Outgrowing Your Comfort Zone: When It's Time for a Change

👉 Discover why "more of the same" might be holding you back

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Have you ever had something that it was time to let go of, that by holding on to it you’re keeping something else out? What’s been your reason(s) for not letting it go sooner?

Is it fear?

Is it a habit?

Is it mistakenly identifying with it?

Is it as simple as not being aware of there even being an attachment to it?

There are as many reasons for not letting something go as there are things we’re not letting go of, I’m sure.

By not letting go of what has overstayed its welcome, we’re preventing what’s new and waiting to come into our lives.

And sometimes, what’s needed is something new, something fresh to enter the picture. Something that can add value in a way that the old just couldn’t. In the words of Marshall Goldsmith, “What got you here won’t get you there.” This can be true.

More of the same won’t necessarily make a difference. At least not the difference that you might be looking for when what you want is a change.

***

So, here I am, pondering this exact predicament. (Quickly, this is not as dramatic as it might sound, so please don’t fret) In 2021 I conceived the idea of Inside The Comfort Zone. Which come to think of it, originated from another turning point in my life and career, another point where it was time for the old to make room for something new.

I knew that ICZ was going to be a book. Partly because I like writing (a somewhat newfound interest), and partly because the format of a book allows for the idea and concept to be properly built out. Also, reading books was how I started my own personal development achieving personal freedom and ending my personal suffering, making me rather partial to books.

In 2021, the idea of growth, performance and success inside the comfort zone was still fairly new. Even though the concept is like a red thread running through the last 20 years of my life, it wasn’t until then that I managed to see it. But what the idea lacked in clarity and practical sophistication, it made up for in potential and excitement.

Writing a book would be a big process for me. And yet, I wanted to explore the topic and test things out. The natural thing was to bring it into the work I was doing with my clients, of course, and in large it always was a part of the work I’d done, only now there was more intentionality around the concept. The other thing that occurred to me was to at least launch a podcast based on the concept. That way I was putting a stake in the ground claiming ownership over the “radical” concept of thriving Inside The Comfort Zone.

Launching the podcast was both easy and fun — exactly what I was tapping into in order to make it happen more consistently (see, here I’m using the principles of ICZ). And since its launch, I’ve produced 56 episodes, featuring mainly solo episodes with some episodes featuring guests. That was a natural programming since it primarily was a vehicle for me to explore my own ideas around the concept. I was indeed successful in my venture to host the podcast as a way for me to expand on the idea and concept of Inside The Comfort Zone, and I believe that it allowed me to plant some creative and impactful seeds in the world. It has allowed me to make progress on outlining the book, and to dress the bare bones of the concept, making it much more clear and practical.

Recently, I’ve been coming up against the block of not knowing exactly what to do a podcast episode around. So, I’ve invited some more guests, which I’ve enjoyed. As things stand now, I’m feeling myself more and more drawn to the writing side of the project. Here I’ve been struggling. Am I ready? Ready to finally start writing the book? What about the podcast?

I’m realising that it is time for me to let go of old ideas. These ideas have served their purpose and have been the cornerstone of what is being built. Now, it is time to attend to what is being put on top of its foundation. You see, it can be so easy to prevent yourself from going after something because of fear of losing out, fear of being judged or fear of failing. Out of habit, it can seem easier to simply continue doing what you’re doing, or not even being aware of the choice that is made each time — the choice on what to spend your time on.

Far too often we think that if something is good, then more of the same is better. So we simply keep adding, and adding. Sinking more and more resources into it makes it harder and harder to let go of (often due to the sunk-cost fallacy — look it up). I often refer to this as, plus, plus, plus equals minus. Whether it’s clinging onto old ideas, accumulating more physical stuff or tolerating more stress, when we keep adding but never subtracting we end up with too much on our plates. And everything on our plates is crowding out anything new from entering our bodies, nurturing our souls and helping us grow.

I recently talked about my personal journey with minimalism on the podcast, which is only one of the ways that I make sure to not fill my life with more than I can handle. And this isn’t just about stuff.

Will there be an Inside The Comfort Zone podcast moving forward?

Yes, of course.

It might no longer be my main focus. Since I will instead be exploring writing and drafting my book. However, some of my writing might end up being turned into an audio version which can live on the podcast. I mean, we all prefer different ways to take in information and content, and I love audio almost as much as I love books.

As I start working more on the book, I will be looking for beta readers, people who can help me shape the book into something coherent and helpful. If that’s you, stick around, and I will let you know when the time comes to accept beta readers. Please leave a comment below or send me a DM letting me know if you’re interested in becoming a beta reader or simply seeing yourself being a casual reader of this book.

As we circle back to where we began, ask yourself: What are you holding onto that's keeping something new out? Is it fear, habit, or simply unawareness of your attachment? Whatever it is, remember that letting go isn't necessarily about loss. It's about making space for something new — a change.

My journey with Inside The Comfort Zone podcast helped me safely and comfortably outgrow my comfort zone, simply expanding what can be considered inside my comfort zone. AND NOW, by letting go of the podcast as my primary focus, I'm not abandoning it, but evolving it. I'm making room for the book that's been waiting to be written.

So I invite you to join me in this next chapter. Whether as a future beta reader, a loyal podcast listener, or simply as someone on their own journey of letting go and growing, remember: what got you here won't always get you there. Sometimes, the most powerful step forward is letting something go.

What will you release today to make room for tomorrow's growth?