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Starting a business is exciting for entrepreneurs. It’s fast-paced, all-consuming, and also completely exhausting. So it makes sense that once a business has reached a certain level of success and things are going well, business owners often determine to stay in comfort zone.
While taking a step back may feel deserved, enjoyable, and secure, there is no denying that the comfort zone is extremely dangerous for the business owner and the long-term survival of the organization.
Comfort zones tend to lull us into a false sense of security that comes at a very high price. Success might be a two-sided coin—a strong but regular money flow combined with a dash of hubris can ultimately leave us each isolated and stagnant. Our sense of comfort and security can stifle growth, thwart risk-taking, and destroy any reasonable expectations of innovation, growth, and scalability.
Comfort zones prevent us from considering greater, brighter, and bolder. In her Oscar acceptance speech a few years ago, actress Regina King said it best when she emphatically declared, “Comfort zones are where dreams go to die.” If that doesn’t move you, I don’t know what is going to.
Are you staying in your comfort zone?
If you’re a business owner trying to balance the comforts of the established order with the limitless possibilities of innovation, ask yourself these key questions:
- What is in your comfort zone and what is outside it?
- Do you end up mostly in this inactivity zone?
- How often do you enterprise to its outskirts or beyond?
- Can you think of a recent situation where you stepped outside your comfort zone?
- How did you’re feeling then and what lessons did you learn from this experience?
As a business owner, the sense of success, achievement, and self-satisfaction you enjoy in your comfort zone is actually well-deserved. No one wants to take that away from you. But there is an inherent danger in passively accepting that you just are adequate.
Creative stagnation leaves firms vulnerable to more dynamic competitors that are measurably higher positioned for long-term success. This is very true for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) because of their inherently smaller scope and more limited resources. But for any company, stepping outside its comfort zone ought to be less about money and more about attitude.
Five Ways to Leave Your Comfort Zone
Before you begin planning your exit strategy, make sure you give yourself a big pat on the back for all the things you and your small business have completed so far. You must have had some real success to get to this point, so kudos to you.
But now it is time to leave the comfort zone paradox behind. Stop limiting your organization’s future success because of the satisfaction you’re feeling from past success.
Here’s how to start innovating, energizing, and igniting your small business for greater and higher long-term results:
1. Identify your concerns
Inertia is often rooted at least in part in fear and uncertainty. Do a little soul searching and discover what may be stifling your desire to innovate and grow.
Common culprits include fear of failure, worries about the economy or market trends, questions about costs or money flow, and concerns about the capabilities of your current team. Dig deep and then write these devils on your shoulder.
2. Educate yourself
(*5*) is power. Research current market dynamics, emerging trends, and even revolutionary exceptions in your industry. Learn all the things you’ll be able to about what your competitors are doing, technological advances you’ll be able to adopt, and other influences that may encourage motion and growth. Make sure you are using multiple sources of knowledge and commit to lifelong learning.
3. Leverage your team
I promise you, your people have some great ideas. Some could also be huge breakthroughs, while others could also be a bit more area of interest, but all are worthy of recognition and consideration. This makes your team a strong contributor to the company’s success and infuses your organization with informed, fresh, and diverse perspectives. Your people are the real aces up your innovation sleeve.
4. Dream big
You would never have began your small business if you were a small thinker. So dream big and supercharge your personal and business vision with an expansive mindset. Realize that nothing is out of your reach. Remember, Jeff Bezos was once a bookseller with a greater dream.
5. Know that there is no finish line
Complacency has a way of catching us off guard when we’re not being attentive. Without a conscious commitment to growth and innovation, comfort zones are an almost inevitable byproduct of success. Your role as an innovator in your small business is infinite. There are no goal posts. Sustained success requires a long-term strategy and an limitless commitment to creativity and improvement.
When you push the boundaries of your comfort zone, amazing things are sure to occur. Your vision and mission will take on greater meaning. Your team might be more inspired, productive, and aligned. Your market position will increase. And it’s all because you refuse to accept the comfort and limitations of the established order.