Get Uncomfortable

Are you happy in your career or just going through the motions? Do you know it’s time to act, but you don’t want to? Are you pushing yourself to do more, and be more, or are you too comfortable being comfortable?

Making a change in your career involves work, and not everyone likes to do work. Whether it’s a new job, a new career, or a new way of dealing with a problem at work, challenging situations do not change without your active participation.

Maybe making changes in your career used to be easier. Maybe jobs were handed to you, or opportunities came quicker. Because of the nature of today’s workplace and the competitiveness among workers for jobs, those days are long gone. You get change when you work for change. You can wish that the process for change would be different, and they will be different once you put in the effort. (Or, when you keep going past the point where you want to stop.)

Where Do You Begin? Follow These 3 Steps Below.

1. Admit You Are Comfortable

You cannot fix what you cannot admit. So, say it. You are comfortable. Maybe you like being comfortable and that is ok. Why push yourself if you do not have to? The problem is being comfortable keeps you stuck. Rather than having something to look forward to in the future, you are trapped in your day-to-day life and routines. And although being comfortable allows you to not have to push yourself or exert any unnecessary effort, your comfortableness leaves you unfulfilled and unhappy. So ask yourself, what is worse, moving forward or staying where you are? You will choose forward movement once you admit that standing still is your worst option.

2. Decide To Be Uncomfortable

I am a big believe
in deciding, because without decision nothing happens. So, decide to be uncomfortable. Not because someone else thinks you should, but because you want to. Not because you are being forced to, but because you know it’s time. Decide to be uncomfortable because you miss the old you and are tired of being unhappy. Decide because you do not want to complain anymore, and have realized that your complaints are unproductive and are not taking you anywhere productive. Change happens when you decide to change. And once you’ve decided, then you are can move forward.

3. Get Uncomfortable

What was the last risk you took? It probably has been a while. If you are not ready to take a big risk, start with something smaller. Little risks build your confidence and inner belief that you can handle bigger ones. For example, if you don’t usually speak up in meetings, contribute something this week. If you do not usually call people to follow up or ask for something that you need in your career, make one call this week. Something that will shake things up a bit and get you ready for something bigger.

If you want something different in your career, you have to do something different. The world around you may not change or even want to change, but this is not about them, it’s about you. Change is possible once you start making changes. Small steps over time produce great results. You just have to begin.