Want To Succeed? Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

We can be our own worst enemy, especially when it comes to success. Our very nature is in conflict with itself. On the one hand, we have the ability to imagine a reality of overflowing abundance for ourselves. On the other, we keep ourselves "safe" by maintaining the status quo. In order to succeed in anything, we have to be able to break free of our comfort zone, and step into the unknown.

Man has evolved over the millenia into an amazing specimen. Our ability to dream and reason and pursue our goals is unrivaled in the animal kingdom. Yet, we all have humbler beginnings, hailing from a time when survival on a daily basis was a major concern. Our instincts had to be sharp, and our internal mechanisms evolved to protect us from doing things that would be likely to get us killed. Those mechanisms still work at a very fundamental level, and their purpose is to help us survive. They are not there to encourage us to take risks. If you understand how these mechanisms work, you will be much more likely to recognize the signs of them being called into action. This will enable you to move past the artificial boundaries they are trying to create for you.

There is a part of the brain called the Amygdala, and its primary function is to maintain the status quo for you. After all, you survived this long, so the brain will try to encourage you to keep doing what you've been doing, since that is what has been proven to work so far. When you attempt to do something that is considered uncharted territory, your amygdala kicks in and releases stress hormones that cause sensations of fear, anxiety and doubt.

Most people will retreat when they experience these sensations, but that is when an understanding of the process can be very helpful. You may have heard the expression that courage is not a matter of being fearless. It is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It is so important to follow through on this. Instead of retreating from the fear, recognize that it is a sign you are moving out of your comfort zone, and you are opening the door to new possibilities.

A literal example of your amygdala kicking in to protect you is when you try to do something like skydiving. Your brain knows this is not a natural thing to do, and essentially screams at you to reconsider. Some people are not able to overcome the sensations of fear and doubt, and will back away even moments before they are supposed to jump. Those that manage to make it past that stage and force themselves to take those few small but very big steps to the edge of the plane and out, will suddenly be experiencing a whole new world of sensations they have never had before. Not all will be thrilled with the experience, but the majority will, and many say it is life-changing.

The amygdala doesn't just respond to perceived physical threats, though. Whenever a major decision comes up in your life that threatens your status quo, you'll feel those sensations of anxiety and fear. If you succumb to them, you'll always remain at the level you are at currently.

A good example of this is how you may view network marketing. You may believe that you will have to approach friends and family, or resort to cold calling prospects to build your business. This is something that stops many people in their tracks, and the fear of these tactics may prevent you from even considering an MLM as a bona fide business opportunity.

If you are willing to move past that fear, though, you will be happily surprised to discover that network marketing has come a long way in recent times, and the days of hounding your "warm list" are over.

If you want to improve your quality of life, you will have to learn to get outside of your comfort zone. You must take actions you have not previously taken if you expect to achieve different results than what you've already gotten. Fortunately, this is not a journey you have to make alone. There are internetwork marketing guides who can help you avoid common pitfalls and point you along the path of least resistance. You still have to take the necessary steps, but it's a lot easier when there is someone next to you who has already walked the same path.

Even with the best support system, you won't get very far if you don't make a personal effort. Ultimately, your level of success lies squarely on your own shoulders. Remember this: The quality of your life and business is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty you are willing to experience.