Everybody has one. Its effect on us can be subtle to the point that we are not even aware of it. Everybody's is different and it can change from situation to situation! What is it? It's called a comfort zone.

Whenever we take on a new project, try something new, attempt to set new goals or standards for ourselves we will, at some point, come face to face with our comfort zone. It's not a matter of "if"? it will happen it's a matter of "when"? it will happen.

PERFORMANCE COMFORT ZONES

People hire coaches and mentors to develop some part of themselves they want to improve. Inevitably they will come across their own comfort zones in the process. Comfort zones aren'I work with professionals in sports and business and at every level comfort zones come into play. For example, when I ask a golfer what they shoot they might answer, "I shoot in the mid 80's or mid 70's. This is a subtle statement of their comfort zone. A comfort zone sets us up to perform within its limitations and acts as a "magnet"? pulling us in that direction. For example, around the 14th hole a golfer may notice they are shooting their all-time best score. When they become aware of this their performance begins to "drift back"? to the point where their final score is somewhere around their usual score.

In sports and business, teams are affected by comfort zones as well. If the team is "used"? to performing poorly their overall comfort zones will create "hidden"? obstacles that cause them to continue their poor performance. People who excel have a higher comfort zone than people and teams who don't. They expect to perform well while those with lower comfort zones tend to have lower expectations. The irony is it often has very little to do with talent or skill. This is the power an established comfort zone can have on us. It affects performance in sports, business and life! Are you comfortable earning the money you say you want? Are you comfortable reaching your personal or professional goals? As you know, New Year's goals are notorious for being set and not pursued. In my opinion, they are not met because although they look good on paper there is something in the goal or dream that is outside our comfort zones so we find ways to sabotage ourselves instead.

ACTIONS DO SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Our actions, not our words reveal our comfort zones. A limiting comfort zone can prevent us from taking the required action we need to meet our dreams. In my coaching/speaking programs I ask people to focus on actions and not words as being a reflection of the "truth"?. Words, stories or excuses (blaming others, etc.) can create a "smoke screen"? but actions (or inactions) are clear indicators of our comfort zones and much easier to identify. When we are honest about our own comfort zones we can rapidly uncover the hidden beliefs, assumptions and interpretations that cause us to be "stuck"? and make faster shifts toward what we want.

HOW COMFORT ZONES ARE FORMED

A comfort zone is formed by experience which over time and repetition turns into a belief. Many of us are very good at "proving"? our comfort zones are "real"? by recreating the limiting experiences over and over again. Each time we do, we reinforce the belief sending subtle messages to ourselves such as, "I knew this would happen"? or "I knew I'd only get this far"?. Over time our comfort zones become our unspoken expectations ("this is where I always wind up!"?). A comfort zone is a state of mind and usually has little to do with your actual talent or skill. It's easy to "prove"? them by using self-fulfilling prophecy ("I knew it!"?) but why not break them instead?

BREAKING THROUGH COMFORT ZONES

There are many great ways to help break comfort zones and in this short article I will offer just a few that I've used with sports and business clients.

1. Be honest with yourself. This is the simplest and yet can be the most challenging step to take. The truth is; if you won't be honest about them it is very difficult to move past them. Be honest. If you have a fear or limiting belief about yourself or a task/situation, put it "out there"? for yourself. There is nothing wrong with it; it's just a belief and is not a true reflection of your worth, talent or skill.

2. Don't assume you're right! Don't assume just because you've "proven"? your comfort zone by repeating it so often in the past that it has anything to do with today. It doesn't! It's only a memory based on past experience ("I always do this!"?) and is no reflection on your capabilities right now! Take one small action step right now to prove this to yourself.

3. Start Small" ?All comfort zones can be broken and expanded. Pick ONE area and create a small but steady process that allows you to bust through it. For example, if you want to improve your decision making skills take small strides each day that will break that comfort zone. Decide to make 2 decisions each day this week and your comfort level will grow within a short period of time! If you want to increase your sales but have avoided the "large"? accounts, call on 1 large account per day for the next 2 weeks with no concern about outcomes. Just take the action and your comfort level will expand, so will your list, your confidence and your sales! _________