11 Steps To Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone – Friend Or Enemy?.

April 6, 2022

Writing This Article Has Been On My Mind For A Very Long Time. Also, This Blog Post Summarizes The Significant Steps I Took In My Life Until Today.
By growing older, evolving, and sailing through life, I was convinced that the enemy to success and a fabulous existence is our holy “comfort zone”.

How many times did you hear “get out of your comfort zone, and magic will happen”? It sounds so cliche now. BUT is nothing but pure truth.

When we are born, we are given a limited timeline. We are the only ones responsible for our choices, for changing our path and direction, and for making our lives exciting and rewarding.

Time is a precious gift and a rare commodity.
Now Let’s Do A Basic Exercise, And If The Answer Is Yes To All These Questions, Maybe It Is Time For A Change:
Just take a look around.

Is your life pleasant and cozy?

Do you have a nice steady job?

Is your job well paid?

Do you have a cool group of friends?

Are you in a relationship?

Can you afford 1-2 vacations every year? 

Do you have a loan for the house? 

Do you have a retirement plan?

It all seems to be so safe and secure. But maybe something is missing…

Maybe you feel like you need something else in your life, but you don’t know what?

By the way, there is nothing wrong with the above. I know so many people that are pleased living like this. And it’s ok. I am not blaming anybody as we all have the choice and freedom to live the way we want.

All I am saying is that there is a little more out there, and if you dare to explore, you might be amazed … and I want to challenge you a little bit.

The above was me in 2009. I would have answered yes to all the questions. 

I had a secured and well-paid job in a multinational company. I had a lot of amazing friends. I was dating someone. As an only spoiled child, I was living with my parents in a beautiful apartment in the center of Bucharest. I was never paying bills. I never cleaned the house nor changed my bedsheets as we had a maid. I was dancing salsa a few times a week. I was traveling a few times per year to a new destination. Shopping every month. And the list can go on and on. The routine was at its best, running my life with no worries or concerns.

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. Anonymous.

The first change came in November 2009 when I realized I actually did hate my job and I had no future in that multinational organization, and all I wanted to do was dance salsa on a professional level. I was 28. 

One day after work, I went to the library to buy a book, and I found “Screw It, Let’s Do It”  written by Richard Branson. 

A few days later, I resigned. I had savings to live comfortably (let’s not forget I was not paying any bills or rent) for about 8-9 months dancing salsa and figuring things out.

Moving on, I got into a zone of freedom that was amazing. However, I was still living in Romania, with my parents but using my savings and slowly but surely getting bored of everything.

One day, in May 2010, I said to myself: “This is it! I just can’t live here anymore. I am so done”.

And I knew that If I don’t make a move and fast, I will be buried there. Everything was the same – same people, same places, same conversations, all was repetitive, and nothing was exciting anymore.

I had zero clues of where I wanna go and what I wanna do. All I knew was that I needed to pack and find my way. Shortly after the seed was planted in my brain, I found an announcement on Facebook that someone was looking for a Project Manager and Event Organiser for a very large salsa event in Berlin, Germany. The mix was fantastic: salsa, organizing events, meeting new people, moving to a new country. Holy Moly!!! It didn’t even matter that my German language was zero. I replied in a heartbeat and talked to that guy (he was endorsed by one of my friends, so I felt safe), and in July 2010, I went there for a short visit. He made me an offer, and I accepted.

In September 2010, with 2 pieces of luggage, I was in the airport waiting for my flight, feeling that my life had finally begun and that I had taken control of my destiny.

5 years later, I moved to Dubai without any plan. I am still here for more than 6 years. It is the place I call home. I have a great job, beautiful friends, a pretty house, and I live in a clean and safe city where the lifestyle is the most amazing in the entire Universe.

My story is that I quit a safe job, I left my home country and everything else behind to go and live in the unknown by myself (twice) Sometimes I feel like I have thrown myself to the wolves.

But your story of you overcoming your fears can mean a multitude of other things, such as:

• Start your own business
• Quit your super safe job
• Say “Enough” to a toxic relationship
• Register for another degree and polish your skills
• Start painting or explore any other hobby you might be passionate about – maybe start dancing salsa at 50 (why not!)
• Sell or rent your apartment and go on a 1 year sabbatical around the globe
• Start a new diet and working out
• Try a few extreme sports

And I will be honest, it is difficult, and it can take even years to have the courage to change something in one or more areas of your life.

Because change is scary and uncomfortable. It hurts. And it hurts real bad.

But fear is a natural and essential part of growth. And I can assure you, stepping beyond your comfort zone allows you to achieve things that once seemed unreachable.

Insanity: Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results” Albert Einstein

A Step-By-Step Guide To Break The Comfort Zone

1. Slow Down for a moment and think about your life. Are you happy? Are you where you wanna be? Are you surrounded by the people that you want? Do you live in a place that makes you happy? Do you make enough money? Do you like your job?
2. Analyze – Start planning and preparing a timeline once you figure out what you want and the person you want to be.
3. Time to shake up those routines – Sometimes, it will take a day or two to make a change, and other times it might take months or years. My advice is not to think that much. However, we are all unique individuals. We all have different motivations, constraints, and, more importantly, our own rhythm of taking action. Do it at your own pace
4. Make the First Move – After you answer these questions, you will have a pretty clear idea of the next step. Whatever you want – quit your corporate job, get out of a broken relationship, move from home, buy that ticket, sell your apartment, start that business – just do it.
5. Stay Positive – Keep your spirits high. Once you make that first move and your life starts changing, you might begin to experience challenges but always choose to see the whole part of the glass. Be that person that thinks that every problem has a solution and not the other way around. My life in Dubai is far from perfect and easy. Still, I enjoy all the beautiful things around me that make me so happy. At the same time, I am working very hard every day, juggling a demanding job, my blog, administrative duties, and social life.
6. Keep Your Options Open – Sometimes, you think you need a specific change. Still, after analyzing, you might be surprised to figure out it is something very different. This is actually good. Work on it and keep exploring what you want and, more importantly, what you need.
7. Be Friendly – being social and talking to people will only open doors and expand your horizons. You will make more friends and learn new things. Plus, one person will always lead to another, and you will start building your network.
8. Don’t Ever Give Up – This is a critical step. Crucial, I would say. It was never an option for me. I have been through really rough, challenging times but going back home to mommy and daddy was a no-go. Because I am telling you, things might get messy and complicated, but you will waste all your hard work and achievements if you give up. This is life anyway. No matter what we do, we will have obstacles. The idea is to learn how to overcome your challenges and move on with even more confidence and determination.
9. Don’t Settle – Once we get comfortable again, the tendency is to stay there. And it’s ok, it’s human nature. And we can stay there for a while. We need that, but have a personal check-in with yourself every once in a while and see if you are where you want to be.
10. Empower other people – Sharing your experience and empowering other people is one of the best rewards, at least for me.
11. Its never too late– If you think you are 35 or 40 or more and your time is expired, please think again. I broke up with the Psycho at 26, quit my safe job at 28, moved to Germany at 29 and to Dubai at 33, and started this blog that I know will be very successful at 40.

Beautiful Things That Will Happen When You Will Start Exploring New Territories

• Build great memories
• Empower yourself
• Meet incredible people
• Interact with other cultures
• Learn new things and sharpen your skills
• Personal satisfaction
• Grow as a human being in so many areas in your life
• Develop on a professional and personal level
• Revisiting your greatest successes and accomplishments helps you remember that courage is one of the qualities that got you there
• It’s a fun ride

“A ship is always safe at the shore but that is not what is built for” – Albert Einsten 

Nobody says to be in a continuous changing mode, put constant stress on your shoulders, or to always be on the run. We all need to pause for a while, breathe and do what we have to do. We need to settle and be comfortable here and there. But the idea is not to stay there for too long, and if you start feeling stuck, don’t be afraid to take action regardless if you start small or big.

To open new doors, we have to close others. Closing is the equivalent of pain and fear because change is challenging. But opening new doors will only bring tremendous opportunities.

If I look back, I am not who I was in 2010. I didn’t change to my core as fundamentally. I run my life on the same system of values and beliefs. But I became better, I’ve grown tremendously, I’m wiser, brighter, sharper, less judgemental, and more open-minded.

If I had stayed in my home country, dealing with the same patterns, I know I would not be who and where I am today.

Photo Credit ruffa-jane-reyes-P6mdg0z5tHc-unsplash.jpg

Therefore kill that comfort zone girl, don’t doubt yourself; embrace your fears, and magic will be on its way. I promise you that 

“Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end … because in the end, it shows you a whole new world. Make an attempt!” Manoj Arora 

Have you ever broken your comfort zone? 

The Real Power Of A Vision Board

A Daily Visual Reminder Of Your Goals And Dreams.

January 21, 2022

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and is nothing farther from the truth.
Vision boards are a powerful tool that will support you in achieving your goals and dreams in a fun, creative way.
I remember my first try a few years ago, and I have never stopped since then.The idea behind it is that images will strengthen and stimulate your emotions because our mind responds better to visual stimulation rather than just having a list.
In other words, creating a vision board, it’s just another way of illustrating your dreams visually.
You Have Two Easy Options To Create An Empowering Vision Board

1. Physical
2. Digital

Initially, I started with the classic version, but I switched pretty fast to a digital one. The issue with the physical one is that no matter where you place it in your house, someone will eventually see it. I don’t know about you, but this display of images is very personal and intimate for me. Sure, I can talk about my dreams and wishes with my friends and family, but I want to keep some things just for myself.
4 Easy Steps To Create A Vision Board
1. Decide which areas of your life you would like to cover – love, career, finance, travel, lifestyle, home, family, etc

2. Use affirmations, inspirational quotes, happy emojis.

3. Find pictures representing or symbolizing the above areas and the experiences you want to create.

4. Definitely include a picture of yourself (the one you like a lot) and place it in the middle of the board. If you’re single, put a picture of an attractive man right next to you. I have … Jason Momoa   

Tools You Need To Finalize Your Board.

PHYSICAL BOARD ‘

• Collect a bundle of magazines and newspapers for your visuals 
• A foam board or A3 paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Sharpie

DIGITAL BOARD

• Google or any other platforms that offer free photos (Unsplash, FreePick, Canva, etc.)
• I used to do it in Photoshop, but now I use XD. XD is also an Adobe product, and you can download it and use it for free. It is super easy to use. You don’t need any special training. Just check one of the tutorials on YouTube.

The Rule Is That There Is No Rule.

If you feel like you have too many pictures, don’t think it might be too much. Nothing is too much when it comes to your wishes and the goals you want to achieve to enrich your life. Just be creative and put everything you want to attract.

I will give you a few examples:

Since primary school, I have wanted to have my nose done, and it never happened until 9 months ago. And guess what. One year before the surgery, I put an image on the board thinking, eh, I might do it, maybe it will happen but I was not that keen. And it happened less than a year later.

I had a picture of a wide beach, and I went to Zanzibar. Beaches there are precisely the same as I had on my vision board.

One of the images is of a girl smiling with perfect teeth. Shortly after I placed that image there, I went for Invisalign. Ok, my teeth are not that perfect but much better than before.

Some images are related to teamwork, and luckily things work great in our company, and we are a solid group.

And the list can go on.

About two years ago, I had a separate vision board for each area that I wanted to cover, and it was a bit much for me. So nowadays, I keep it simple, and I limit myself to one that covers all I want to achieve and improve.

Every few months after some of my wishes become a reality, I update my vision board with new images that represent other goals I want to achieve. Basically, you always move to the next.

Put Some Positive Energy Into Your Board.

Another essential aspect is If you think you made your collage and you will take a look once in a while, and this is it, well will not do the job.

You have to put the right energy into it.

My personal formula is: Before going to sleep, I like to look at the vision board for a few minutes. Right after I go into the visualizing exercise, I learned during my therapy sessions, and it all takes about 20-30 minutes.

Unfortunately, I don’t practice this ritual every evening because I’m a lazy human, and often after a full day I am already drained. But I try to do it every time I can.

The vision board technique is a powerful tool to manifest your dreams and wishes. What I noticed is that many of the things I have on my board become true sooner or later, in some shape or another.

So I encourage you to give it a try and be consistent in looking at it and putting positive energy.

Have you done your board yet for 2022?

How To Achieve Your New Year Resolutions

2022 – A Fresh New Start.

January 14, 2022

Isn’t that what we think about at the end of every year? What is on the list for our new year resolutions?
Because a new year it’s a fresh new start, a new beginning, and another opportunity for us to go clean. What we didn’t achieve in the year ended, we feel like there is another chance for the coming 365 days. There is nothing far from the truth. It’s wise to be organized and have hope. But more important is to have a plan to achieve those goals. And stick to it as much as possible.Despite the best intentions, once the glow of a fresh new year wears off, many people struggle to make good on their plans. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 46% of people who made New Year’s resolutions were successful. That means over half of the people who set a goal for the new year will fail!
Why Do We Fail?
No Proper Planning
We Get Caught Up With Other Stuff And Get Lost On The Way
Laziness And Hoping That Things Will Happen Anyway
No Patience
We Get Easily Demotivated
How To Structure Your New Year’s Resolutions
PLAN

Make a list of what you want to achieve or improve, and don’t be afraid to dream big.

Many articles that I read suggest focusing on 3-4 key goals. It works. But it might be a bit frustrating as you would feel limited. And we all have different goals and motivations. Plus, a lot of things might change on the way. My advice is to put everything you want to achieve on the list and divide them into major and minor goals. Below is my personal list, and as you can see, there are 11 action points. Will I achieve them all? I don’t know, but for sure, I’ll try.

GIVE YOUR PLAN A STRUCTURE

Writing a list is a good beginning but perhaps not enough just to look at it once in a while.

The way that you structure your plan is entirely up to you. Think about a way that will work with your system and incorporate it.

For example, I love using multi-colored post-its and different ones for each month, making things organized and fun.

THE POWER OF HABIT
When setting resolutions, you are much more likely to succeed if they become part of your daily routine. This way, they become regular habits, and we all know how hard habits are to break.

SET DEADLINES
If you give yourself 365 days to accomplish a goal, it will take you 365 days. But If your deadline is 30 days, you will only need 30 days.

Okay, don’t kill yourself here, but I’m saying that some things can be achieved faster and easier than you think if you put the proper focus and commitment into them.

REVISE AND ADJUST

I have wanted to write a blog for many, many years. However, last December, it was not on my mind. So starting this new chapter was totally out of my list because this was thought deeply buried in my mind.

However, a few months later in the year, I started working and putting effort into it … out of the blue.

My point is that life happens while we make other plans, which is so true. So start with a checklist, try to stick to it, and adjust on the way.

MEASURE

Once in a while, check your improvements and accomplishments. When you see that things are going in the right direction, the feeling is sweet and rewarding. Or even you are halfway to where you should be, it’s okay. No one is chasing you. Keep going.

REWARD YOURSELF

Speaking of rewards, give yourself a little bonus at least once in a while. Life should also be lived and enjoyed. If you are on a diet, just go for that juicy burger or indulge with a nice piece of cheesecake. You deserve it for your hard work and perseverance.

For example, as strict as I am with certain things, I am totally lazy with others, and I quickly find excuses. I know this comes from a person that did disruptive stuff in her life.

VISION BOARD

Create a vision board to support your resolutions. I have been creating different ones for a few years now and adjusting them every few months based on my expectations and what is happening on the way.

The vision board is a fun and powerful tool, and the article about it is coming up next week.

PATIENCE

You can’t build a house in 1 day but brick by brink, step-by-step. The same goes for your goals. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and don’t quit because of a few mistakes or because u were away from the plan for a few weeks.

KEEP GOING

Stick to your plans and what matters to you, and don’t let anything stay in your way.

The above is a personal interpretation, but of course, you can use anytime the classic SMART system:

• Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
• Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
• Achievable (agreed, attainable).
• Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
• Time-bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive

My New Personal New Year Resolutions
Major
Build This Blog And Learn To Be A Better Writer And A Marketer
Travel To At Least One New Country
Keep My Healthy Lifestyle: Workout More, Eat Cleaner, Less Occasional Smoking.
Increase My Income
Change My Apartment Into A Better One
Meet Mr. Right
Stop My Addiction

Minor
Read More Books
Dance More Salsa
Meditate And Visualize
Control More My Impulsivity
What I Genuinely Wish For You

• Spend some quality time with your beautiful self at least once in a while. Being away from the “daily” noise is such a blessing.
• Spend more time away from your phone and even try some social media detox
• Go out, be social and build new friendships.
• As busy your life is, allocate more time for self-care
• Connect more with the nature
• Say No when things are not in your favor.
• Practice global awareness.Use less paper and electricity and please recycle
• Go to church. Connect with the divine and with your spiritual side
• Think more positively. Everyone has issues. But there is always a bright side, so focus more on that.
• Step outside of your comfort zone, fight your fears and go grab what you want.

To conclude, some of you might say the new year’s resolution comes with so much stress and pressure. Most people I know don’t even have a plan, and it is literally okay. You can still achieve many things without lists and multi-colored post-its (lol).

But it does not hurt at all to build a little structure and planning in your daily routines.

Good luck!

What are your 2022 resolutions?