Many of us have become accustomed to less than the BEST version of our SELF. We call this our comfort zone, even when it may be frustrating, uncomfortable, or downright painful. Unfortunately for many of us, we struggle to step out of this comfort zone.

STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE IN 4 STEPS

1. Recognize that the comfort zone is no longer comfortable
2. Know that the comfort zone is a fabricated illusion we created in our minds
3. Change “HOW YOU THINK” if you want to step out of your comfort zone
4. Update the information that you think about [get the facts and seek the truth]

THE COMFORT ZONE IS NO LONGER COMFORTABLE

You have heard me say that we are “pleasure seeking missiles,” which often gets us into trouble if we do not use “discipline or self-control.” No one is going to run away from comfort, therein lies the problem. Thus, it becomes important to qualify and quantify the degree of discomfort that your current comfort zone is causing in your life.

It may be in terms of the spiritual or psychological discomfort you feel. Perhaps it is the financial burden that you have incurred because you continue to allow yourself to indulge in the transient pleasures created by your comfort zone. Then again it may be the pain of medical problems and diseases. No one is going to leave their comfort zone as long as it continues to provide some comfort, even if it is only a tiny amount of comfort. Therefore, you MUST DECIDE if what you desire or value most is more important than staying in your comfort zone.

• What is it costing you to continue staying in this comfort zone?
• Is it worth the cost?

OUR MIND IS THE REAL REASON WE ARE STILL STUCK

Understand that you are in control of your body and therefore, you have control over your mind. We choose what we decide to think about, and we choose how we think? If you think that you are incapable of change, then subconsciously and consciously you will create scenarios that make change impossible. If on the other hand you choose to think that change is possible, then your mind and body adapts to that belief and change becomes possible. Change begins the first time you decide to say NO to the old paradigm of your default negative pattern of response.

HOW WE THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR TOTAL HEALTH

If you think there are no shades of gray and it is only, “black or white,” “good or bad,” full or empty,” “smart or dumb,” “perfect or imperfect,” or “success or failure,” then you set yourself up for pain and suffering. Accept this profound truth and begin to heal: NO ONE IS PERFECT! We all have experienced not liking something about ourselves. The meaning we choose to attach to these things, will impact the choices we make. The negative or unhealthy choices we make consistently are responsible for the “current unhealthy condition of our lives.”

UPDATING OUR STYLE OF THINKING FOR POSITIVE GROWTH

We have to change our problematic style of thinking. We can only do this when we know certain truths, accept ourselves unconditionally, and when we are confident in ourselves. Each of us is VALUABLE and each of us is worthy of all good things. This does not mean that bad things won’t happen to us. We must also remember that we are not on this journey alone because we have the spirit of power, love, and a strong mind dwelling within us. Therefore, we are empowered to make choices that allows us to be the BEST VERSION of our SELVES! When we choose to think effectively, we feel positive and energized, which allows us to respond in healthier ways to our life experiences.