Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone? If you’re at that point in your career where you’re coasting and holding onto safety, it may be time to take a risk, try something new, shake up your routines and maybe even fail.
Innovation is happening all around and you don’t want to be left out. Especially when it comes to work and your career. Imagine your company shifts to a new technology or changes a process everyone will have to use. These types of changes often push employees out of their comfort zones, and the shift is even worse when it is mandated. Some employees can’t or won’t make the adjustment and will find themselves without a job. Getting used to pivots and shifts by creating them yourself could increase your agility and tolerance for change. Here are eight things you can try to get out of your comfort zone.
[See: 10 Job Resolutions to Revitalize Your Career in 2016.]
Pick up the phone. Stop hiding behind email and text messages. These tools allow you to passively communicate, avoiding potential conflict. When you pick up the phone and talk with someone, whether it be a co-worker, client or hiring manager, you alleviate the potential your message will be misinterpreted. Is it more difficult to pick up the phone and call someone? Absolutely, especially when the news you are sharing isn’t good. Make the call, listen and address concerns in real time. During a job search, few job seekers follow up by phone after applying for a job or after an interview. When you are one out of a thousand job seekers who takes the time and effort to make the call, you may become the standout candidate.
Cold call someone. And while you’ve got the phone in your hand, cold call someone you’ve always wanted to meet or have been afraid to call. You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying. You probably want to create an outline for your call. Carefully plan your introduction and why you want to have a conversation with the person you are contacting. List bullet points of what you want to say and questions you want to ask during your call. Know about the work your contact is doing and always express your gratitude for their time.
Attend a professional association meeting. Many people dislike networking. It feels awkward to walk into a room where you don’t know anyone. However, when you hang around professionals who share similar interests, you immediately have something in common to talk about. These events are also opportunities to learn from people in your field. You can share what you learned back at the office. During a job search, these contacts may have leads on jobs you would be interested in. Don’t forget, networking is a reciprocal activity, so be willing to give something in return.
[See: 10 Things Your Mom Didn’t Teach You About Job Searching.]
Learn something new. Stretch your brain and learn how to code or speak another language. If you are going to invest your spare time, you should pick something that interests you and you can stick with. It is also a good idea to select a topic or skill that will help you grow professionally or make you more valuable at work.
Start blogging. You could start your own blog or you could use LinkedIn’s blogging tool to host and share your writing. Pick a work-related topic that you are familiar with and would enjoy writing about. Learn about the art and science of blogging. You’ll learn how to use the platform, how to create catchy headlines and even how to apply search engine optimization to posts so that more people will see and read your work. Honing your writing skills and learning how to create online content can be personally and professionally rewarding.
Record a video. If you are one of those people who hates seeing yourself on video, now might be a good chance to overcome your feelings. Every smartphone has video recording capabilities, or you could use any number of free video recording apps on your computer. If you are searching for a job, record your one-minute pitch. If you are working, discuss recent success either you or your company had.
Join a new social network. It seems like there is a new social network becoming popular every week. The act of learning new technology helps keep your mind agile. And understanding the ins and outs of how the new platform works could become valuable to your employer at some point. As a job seeker, you should be on the lookout for employers who are active on social networks. Interact with them, which may get you noticed for future opportunities.
[See: 8 Ways to Beat the Mid-Afternoon Slump.]
Practice public speaking. Face your fears of speaking in front of people by joining a Toastmasters group or attend training on public speaking. During your career you will have many opportunities to present projects in front of small and large groups of people, and investing in developing these skills will give you confidence.
It was American author Neale Donald Walsch who said: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Start living your life today!
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Step out of Your Professional Comfort Zone originally appeared on usnews.com
