If you have ever had difficulty opening up to people, being less reserved, or expressing yourself, then you know that it takes a lot to step outside your comfort zone. In this article, we’re going to teach you the 7 most effective ways to step outside your comfort zone and achieve what you have always been wanting.

Set Clear Goals and Be Positive About Achieving Them

If your ultimate goal is to break out of your shell, you should have a mental plan as to how you are going to go about doing this. Having a plan like this will help establish smaller, more attainable goals that will help you accomplish your big end goal. As Oliver Page, M.D. writes in “How To Leave Your Comfort Zone and Enter Your ‘Growth Zone,'” self actualization, which you can achieve through setting smaller goals and completing them, is an important process in becoming the person you want to be.

Have Fun And Don’t Take Life Too Seriously All of The Time

Set aside your pros and cons list for this one, because taking your life in your hands and ignoring your fears does not mean that you can’t have fun. Being too paranoid about your future and whether something will be a positive or negative experience is not productive. Instead, try to set aside your fears and leap into the unknown.

Learn Something You’ve Never Done Before

If there has always been something you’ve wanted to do but have never done, why not do it today? Don’t worry if you have no experience; beginner classes exist for a reason! Perhaps you have always wanted to try skydiving or pottery. Or maybe you aren’t exactly sure what to do, but you know you want to try something different. If you feel this way, you have free reign just to do it. The easiest way to learn something new is to sign up for classes at your local civic center, community college, or dance theater.

Take Lessons From Your Failures By Changing The Way You Do Things

Failing at something is the perfect opportunity to get up and try again. However, if you don’t analyze where you went wrong and change the way you behave going forward, you’ll probably end up with the same result. In this way, making those changes is crucial in order for you to move forward and break out of your shell.

Make Friends with People Who Influence You To Get Outside of Your Comfort Zone

The old saying “Show me who your friends are and I’ll show you your future” might have some truth to it. Hanging out with friends who are adventurous could possibly be a great thing for your future; friends who inspire you will often bring out the best in you. While you don’t have to make friends with extreme risk-takers if that is not what you are interested in, having spontaneous and fun friends will help you learn the ropes of an adventurous life.

Change Up Your Daily Routine

If you need to make gradual steps toward stepping out of your comfort zone, that is okay. Start by making small amendments to your daily routine. For example, it can be as simple as taking the scenic route to work or having a conversation with someone new while getting your morning coffee. Once you do things like this, you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable with making bigger changes in your life.

Do Things That Help Other People

Sometimes, when we focus too much on what’s wrong with ourselves, we can get overwhelmed and lose focus on what’s really important. While you are making all these big changes in your life, sure you keep a clear head and continue to feel positive about yourself. The best way to do this is by helping others; for example, signing up for peer tutoring, volunteering at a food bank, or simply helping a friend with something important are great ways to step outside of yourself and your comfort zone.

With the help of this article, we’re certain that making a step outside your comfort zone will feel like second nature to you. In the comments, tell us about a time when you took a risk and it paid off.