How To Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone

I've got to be honest with you. I am really shy, quiet, and definitely an introvert. I love media and communications, but in this industry, you have to be fearless. You have to have a voice.

As much as I love all things media, I really had to learn to step out of my comfort zone. I couldn't be shy or totally introverted. I had to put myself into new, unfamiliar situations to learn and move in this industry. I still do it every single day.

It is so easy to stay in a place where you feel comfortable, but in that familiar place is where you often find yourself feeling stuck. It isn't easy to get out of your routine, but when you break out of your comfort zone, that's often where new opportunities, relationships, and experiences find you.

As someone who tends to be shy and not very outgoing, I know that putting yourself out there can be pretty scary. As someone who has put fear aside and put herself out there, I can also tell you that it has paid off every single time.



I may only be 22 and have so much I want to accomplish still, but an example where I can say that breaking out of my comfort zone worked in my benefit is where I am right now in my career. For me, my job right now is my dream job. It is exactly what I do with an incredible company. I get to work on social media and content creation. I get to be creative. It's incredible.

I wouldn't have been able to get that job had I not taken the time to get to know my journalism professors (all worked or still work at places like CNN and ABC News) and seek out their advice, apply to intern for The Bert Show and with Adam Bomb where I got to do everything from social media work to being on-air, or even apply to be part of Cox Media's Day in the Life program where I got advice from important people at Cox Media and even give a presentation.

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Even though I didn't get the job in Myrtle Beach a couple months back, I am so glad that I applied for that job. I was one of the top candidates and it was an incredible experience to spend two days in that news room and connect with those individuals. It helped me learn that the job I had applied for was something I was really interested in. It's pretty much what I do now, but that was in hard news, rather than the more entertainment news side. Going to that job interview gave me a boost of confidence. It also made me realize that I did not want to move that far from David.

I've got a couple tips on how to break out of your comfort zone.



1. Pick A Few Everyday Tasks and Do Them Differently.
Start small! Switch up part of your morning routine. Take a different route to work. Switch up your morning coffee. Doing a few parts of your routine differently will help you get used to small changes.  You might even find something you like better!


2. Start A New Hobby
Start journaling, go to cooking class, take dance lessons. Just find something that you've never done before and if you really enjoy it, make it a new hobby!

3. Turn Your Anxiety Into Positive Energy
I get really anxious when I am in a new environment or start something new. My body definitely turns to fight or fright mode. I take all that anxiety and nervous energy and turn it into positive energy. Energy that I can turn around and put towards putting my all into whatever that new situation is - a workout at a new gym or a new work environment.

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I know more than anything how hard it can be to get so nervous about change, even when it is good change, like going to college or starting a new job.

When I went through sorority recruitment, that was totally out of my comfort zone. I almost didn't even show up. If you've been following for a while, then you know just how much I love Alpha Omicron Pi and the positive impact that it has had in my life.

Try something new this week. You don't need to do anything too big. Start small!

Are you ready to break out of your comfort zone and tackle something new?

xo,
Amanda



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