I don’t enjoy being forced out of my comfort zone but as I’ve got older I’ve discovered a few things that have really helped me to overcome (or better tolerate) my discomfort....

I'll outline them now with examples of how they have helped me over the last few years whilst working as a Doctor & starting my own businesses.

I’m an introvert at heart & I used to get so anxious making conversation with people. This isn’t so great when you’re training to be a Doctor... I managed to get through this at medical school as there is arguably minimal patient contact but things started to change as I began working as a Doctor in the NHS. Again, I powered on through during FY1. It wasn’t until I started my first A&E rotation as an FY2 that I really got thrown into the deep end. As an A&E Doctor you are forced to enter a cubicle & you don’t know what to expect... what you do know is you have a load of tools in your “toolbox” to help you work through that consultation. I can’t tell you how long it took but it didn’t take long before I overcame my fears. I realised it wasn’t that terrifying talking to people (especially people who are more scared to be in the hospital than you are). As I look back now, I can see how much I’ve grown. This is what forcing yourself out of your comfort zone does. It helps you to develop as a person. Try to remind yourself of this in the moment. 

You could argue that learning & growing is a positive of being forced outside of your comfort zone but I’m trying to refer to “other” positives in this point. Let me give you an example. Whilst working in A&E, there will be Doctors allocated to the paediatrics area every shift. This isn’t something that many new A&E Doctors initially feel comfortable with (there’s usually lots of patients to look after & their anxious parents). If you’ve not worked in this area of the department before it can at times feel quite overwhelming... I used to remind myself during these moments of the “other” positives. For example, paediatric patients don’t smell (most of the time), you will get to hand out stickers & you get to see lots of minor injuries (this is really useful as a junior Doctor trying to gain experience). Anytime I felt anxious about working in this area, I used to remind myself of the positives (I don’t get anxious anymore). Try to focus on the positives next time you’re feeling out of your comfort zone!

I don’t mean an actual parachute. I’m referring to having something as a back-up plan or safety net to help you get through your challenge. It might be that you don’t even need to use it (from my experience just knowing it was there helped put me at ease). For example, when I started my property/tech business with my brother we attended networking events. As I’ve explained, I’m an introvert at heart & the thought of attending an event full of strangers fills me with a dread. There were a couple of times when I had to attend these events without the moral support of my brother...This is what I did to help me. At the very start of the event(s), as I was arriving I would introduce myself to someone else arriving. It was always interesting to learn more about other attendees, the time was right as we were all arriving & it got me into the flow of talking. At some point during this conversation, I would ask them if I could find them later on for a chat, if I found myself at a loose end...This was my parachute. I never needed it but it put me at ease. Try to find a parachute which helps you. 

I have found these tips to really help me when it comes to doing anything out of my comfort zone. 

Its about having a few tools in your “toolbox” that you can rely on to help you. These tools can help you to embrace the discomfort instead of running away from it. The sooner you start embracing it, the sooner you grow & the sooner you’re going to start feeling comfortable again.... 

The sooner you start to embrace the discomfort the more comfortable it feels!

Do you want to make changes to your life but need someone to help you? Please send me an email (elle@gabrielletodd.com) if you would like to learn more about the 1:1 coaching I offer to help you. You don't have to face life's challenges on your own!