Burst out of your comfort zone

How often have you listened as someone rationalized his or her mishandling of a problem by externalizing its source? This person might say something like, I can’t meet my quota because, My territory is too small, or Our prices are too high. Closer scrutiny almost always reveals the source of the problem to be internal, stemming from the salesperson’s concept of self ” specifically, a state of mind that prevents him or her from trying to break through his or her success barrier. This state of mind is that person’s comfort zone.

When people enter new professions, in some cases coming from ones that may have placed limitations on their progress, they may tend to show a dramatic increase in productivity. This increase may appear infinitely sustainable. It’s easy to see this as proof that their capabilities were being thwarted. However, in many cases, this is a false signal, and the increase can’t sustain itself. More than likely, these individuals are merely catching up after being smothered in their previous jobs. Their potential ends up being much less potent than it appears at first glance. They sprint, but can’t go the distance.

For salespeople, the second stage looks like a leveling-off period. They are now entering their comfort zones. Instead of energizing themselves, catching their breath, and pushing forward to higher levels both internally and externally, they slow down and lose momentum.

During the third and, more often than not, final stage, progress slows as the salesperson becomes immobilized by his or her comfort. All of us have a comfort zone. That is not the problem. The problem is failure to recognize when we are reaching this third level, combined with not knowing what to do about it. The issue is whether or not we will reach down for that extra push needed to propel us up and out of our zones. How can we do that?

When faced with a roadblock, don’t opt to change course and try to avoid it. Instead, push through to higher levels while working continually on your personal and professional growth. Institute a visualization program to help you see your progress on a daily basis. Be aware that, in your comfort zone, things won’t look very bad at all. As a result, you will become complacent and unmotivated. This is where the downward spiral begins. Ask yourself, Are you committed to reaching the highest levels of your potential? Remember that each time you break through to a higher level of achievement, you automatically carry with you a new comfort zone and one that must be left behind as you progress even further.

Look at your comfort zone as not only a barrier to success in 2008, but also as a motivator; breaking through your success barrier to higher and higher levels will bring you the exhilaration of accomplishment. Go for it!

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