How To Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone: Think Big

Dr Grace Lordan is the author of Think Big, the Founding Director of The Inclusion Initiative at the London School of Economics and an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics. She is also a professor in psychological and behavioural science. 

Dr Lordan recently published a LinkedIn status asking these questions;

“Are you feeling dissatisfied with your current job? 

Do you find yourself questioning how you ended up where you are today? 

Are you afraid of spending the rest of your working years in a repetitive cycle?”

These thought-provoking questions may encourage you to break from these limitations and consider the power of ‘Thinking Big’.

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of embracing a limitless mindset and how small steps can pave the way to building your desired future.

Breaking Free from Constraints

Thinking big means setting goals without constraints. However, many of us face mental barriers that hinder our ability to envision our dream careers. These self-imposed narratives prevent us from reaching our full potential and keep us within our comfort zones. Thoughts like “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m already good at what I do,” or “I don’t take risks” hold us back. Challenging these narratives and stepping outside our comfort zones is crucial if we want to achieve remarkable things.

Changing Your Narratives

People around us are rewriting their narratives daily by engaging in processes that help them achieve their goals. Just as smokers switch to vaping to quit cigarettes or social media addicts leave their phones at the door for quality family time, we can adopt processes that disrupt negative narratives and propel us towards success. We gradually replace negative narratives with positive ones by focusing on the process rather than solely fixating on the end goal.

Blog: How to create a positive working environment.

Examples of Negative Narratives and Disruptive Processes:

Negative Narrative: “I’m not good enough.” 

Disruptive Process: Engage in continuous learning and skill development. Take online courses, attend workshops, or join professional networks to enhance your knowledge and build confidence in your abilities.

Negative Narrative: “I’m afraid to take risks.” 

Disruptive Process: Start small by embracing calculated risks. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone in manageable ways, such as volunteering for new projects or proposing innovative ideas within your current role. Your confidence in taking more significant risks will grow with each small step.

Negative Narrative: “I’ll never be as good as others, so why bother?” 

Disruptive Process: Cultivate a growth mindset. Focus on your progress and achievements rather than comparing yourself to others. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and recognize that everyone has their unique journey.

Conclusion

Thinking big is not just about setting ambitious goals but embracing a mindset that dares to break through barriers. Challenging negative narratives and engaging in small, purposeful steps can pave the way towards a future that aligns with your passions and aspirations. Remember, the process should always be self-driven, as relying on others can hinder progress. So, commit to your chosen strategy, allow new narratives to emerge, and empower yourself to think big, take small steps, and build the future you truly want!