Why You Need to Expand Your Comfort Zone at Work

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5 years ago

You’re really good at what you do. You like the confidence that comes with performing work you’ve done many times, and you love the praise that comes with it. You haven’t tried any new responsibilities in a while, but that’s ok because you’ve got this job down and you’re not interested in jumping into the zero-gravity environment of a new job. The Comfort Zone is warm and fuzzy. It’s cozy. Why would you ever leave it?!

I hear you. I AM you.

Us Type A women have perfectionist tendencies that can make it hard to try something new.

In fact, I sat through a multi-hour session at work this week where we, as a leadership team, discussed the development needs and of high performing individuals. One woman, in particular, is hesitant to take on new work and it seems it is because she’s anxious about performing well.

Here is what I would tell this woman who is afraid to leave her comfort zone…

Why You Need to Expand Your Comfort Zone at Work

I’ll spare you the rationale of “you’ll never grow” or “you might actually like the new thing more.” Because that won’t work on you. It doesn’t on me.

So here are the real reasons you need to leave your comfort zone:

1. The pressure to be perfect in the Comfort Zone will weigh heavily

You feel uncomfortable moving to a new job but, if you stay, your perfectionist tendencies will just become more pervasive and put more and more pressure on you to be perfect. It can be freeing to be in a new role because you have the “newbie” card to play when balls get dropped.

You don’t have that in the Comfort Zone. And the pressure to not make a mistake just increases and increases. It’ll eventually get really uncomfortable in the Comfort Zone.

2. You may fall into the “we have tried this already” trap

I stayed in a job for 4 years. In that time, we had 3 re-organization efforts. We tried a more decentralized model, then centralized, then back to decentralized…In this situation it’s hard not to get jaded by “new” ideas (that aren’t really new). You end up exhausted by the back and forth. And, worse, vocal about why things didn’t work before. While I’d always encourage speaking up, too much of “we have tried this already” will not help your career. You’ll inevitably find yourself there if you’re in the Comfort Zone too long.

3. You’ll always worry “what if I get let go”

If you never step outside what you are doing and grow your skill set, you’re at risk for being let go if your work ever gets outsourced, eliminated, or otherwise less relevant to your employer.

Recession-proof your career by learning at least a few different skills and making broader connections at your company.

Having led efforts of the years to downsize at my company, I can tell you it would not be a bad thing to be seen as someone who can contribute on many different fronts.

Ok so now I convinced you that you need to leave your comfort zone, but you don’t know how?

Here’s HOW to get out of your Comfort Zone:

1. Experiment with small tasks

Taking on a entirely new job may be too daunting for you. You’ll just retreat to the warmth of the Comfort Zone. However, consider volunteering for a short project or to cover key tasks for someone while they are out of the office.

A few years ago, I was in a marketing role and was curious about being in sales. I never had a sales background so I was too worried to ever apply for a sales job. However, I offered to cover for a colleague while she was out on maternity leave. Her manager didn’t refuse the free help. And, as a result, I ended up loving my time there. It was freeing to know it was just a “trial.”

2. Find a mentor

If you have strong support in the form of a mentor then you may be more ready to leave your Comfort Zone. I was concerned about becoming a manager because I had never been one before. Then, I found a mentor and met with her weekly. I shared the issues I was facing and for great feedback.

Now, before I take a new job, I identify a few mentors on various areas I feel I will need help on. I then meet with them on a regular basis get input and feedback on what you I am doing.

If you know you’ll get timely feedback that will ensure your success, you may feel more comfortable stepping outside your Comfort Zone.

3. Find a partner

If it’s daunting to take on new responsibilities, consider finding someone to share the new work with. You can choose someone with skills who are complimentary to your so you can feel more comfortable knowing that, together, you can conquer anything that comes your way.

You’ll also learn a lot from your colleague (and vice versa), which is an added bonus.

4. Think of the example you will set

For those of you who are managers (or have kids), would want your employees (or kids) to stay in their Comfort Zone all the time? No, you’d likely want them to branch out and spread their wings.

Well, it’s really hard to tell your employees and kids that they need to try new things when you, my friend, do not. So, you need to buck up and model the behavior you want to see in them.

In the end…

It’s scary now, but imagine how confident and comfortable you will be in a new role! The hardest part will be taking the first step. If nothing else, be confident that you will succeed since you have a track record of success; you know how to succeed and, despite the fact there may be bumps along the way in a new role, you’ll end up on top again. You’re Type A…you wouldn’t have it any other way!

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