In business, just as in life, it’s important to step out of your comfort zone from time to time.
This can be scary, but it can also result in growth and new opportunities that propel you and your business forward. If you’re unsure where to start, hopefully, these tips will inspire you to take a leap of faith — and be proud of yourself for doing so!
Why stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for your business.
Keeping things the same may seem like a safe option. However, it can actually be rather detrimental in the long run.
While everybody’s “comfort zone” is different, for many, it revolves around putting yourself in the public eye more, promoting your own strengths, and spending money that might not yield the results you hope.
This is all completely understandable. But if you’re not challenging yourself to step into that spotlight, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities to connect with new customers, learn about new trends in your industry, and increase your revenue.
Of course, being braver and taking more risks is easier said than done! Here are some tips to help nudge you out of your comfort zone and into success.
Set ambitious goals
Whether your company is a new venture or you’ve been running your creative business for a while, it can be easy to slip into the mindset of ‘slowly but surely.’ You might feel that setting an ambitious goal is setting yourself up for failure. So, instead, you set yourself something ‘more achievable’. But remember, a bigger risk can bring bigger rewards, and the process is a fantastic motivator.
If you don’t quite make it to your goal, that’s okay – you’ll have learned how to deal with that along the way. Next time you write down an objective, why not ramp it up a notch? Go for 1500 sales on Etsy instead of 1000. Or aim for 10,000 Instagram followers instead of 5,000.
Take action
This one is both simple and challenging. Planning is great, and a solid structure and schedule can do wonders. However, all planning and no action won’t get you anywhere. Rather than just thinking about your goals or writing them down, start making them a reality as soon as possible. Even if it’s just a small action, it will get the momentum going and drive further growth.
Network
One of these actions could be networking. For anybody who experiences social anxiety or lacks confidence, putting yourself in a room with people you don’t know can be terrifying. So attending a networking session (online or in person) is one of the ultimate ways to push your boundaries.
But interacting with other small business
owners can be incredibly rewarding in so many ways. Not only does it put you in touch with potential customers or collaborators, but it also provides a space to ask questions, hear other peoples’ stories, and find inspiration.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Do you struggle to seek help with your business? Perhaps you worry you’ll burden others or feel that every aspect of the company is solely your responsibility.
From applying for grants and requesting testimonials from customers to outsourcing your admin to a virtual assistant, it’s okay to ask for support. Whether you’re a solopreneur or you have a small team, you don’t have to do everything yourself.
You might be surprised by how many people want to see you succeed!
How do we know it works?
Erin is no stranger to stepping out of her comfort zone! From launching a one-woman career as a virtual assistant after life-changing back surgery to attending the Digital Women Awards 2022, she’s continuously pushed through, learning along the way. As a result, she knows both how scary and how rewarding taking risks can be.
Whether you take big leaps or the first baby steps, be proud of your accomplishments and never undervalue how far you’ve come.