We have all felt it at some point in our life or other – the fear of doing something new that we have not done before or that is different from what we are used to doing. In other words, as human beings, we like to stick to our comfort zone as it makes us feel safe. For a small business owner or garment manufacturer, however, the tendency to only do the tried and tested is one of the biggest reasons for stagnation in business.
But what do we mean by comfort zone?
Simply put, our comfort zone refers to anything that is familiar and makes us feel good. Being in the comfort zone is like a safety net that protects us from the unknown and fear. However, if we always stick to our comfort zone and do not try anything new, the growth that we seek cannot happen.
If you are a small business owner wanting to reach newer heights of success in your business, you must be willing to go beyond the familiar. You must move with the times and be open to implementing the latest trends and technologies.
What Stops Us from Moving Out of our Comfort Zone?
A FEELING OF SAFETY: When we deal with things that are familiar in our home or business, it makes us feel safe and secure which is how we all want to feel.
THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN: Whenever we wish to try something new in our life or business, it triggers the fear of the unknown. What if something goes wrong? What if we don’t achieve the results we hoped for? What if taking a business risk backfires and we end up in losses?
PAST MISTAKES OR FAILURES: We tend to be defined by our past experiences. Say you tried something new in your business and it did not turn out the way you hoped, this can create fear in us the next time we try to do something new.
Why is it Necessary to Move Beyond your Comfort Zone?
FOR BUSINESS GROWTH: Business people are always looking to increase their revenue and take their business to the next level. However, achieving success on a larger scale is possible only when entrepreneurs are willing to face their fears and expand their scope of business.
TO BRING NEWNESS: If you have been running your business the same way for years, chances are your business is becoming stale. Here’s the thing. When you move out of your comfort zone and try new things, you introduce a sense of newness to your business that can help you cater to new and returning customers better and eventually expand your business.
4 Ways to Break out of your Comfort Zone
Analyse What is Keeping You Stuck in your Comfort Zone: It is easy to fall into the trap of doing only the tried and tested when running your small business. Think about what is holding you back. Is it the feeling of safety or laziness to try something new?
Face Your Fears and Reduce Them: Next, think about the reasons why you want to keep doing the familiar. Are you worried that you will fail or incur losses? What is the worst that can happen if you implement a new way of running your business? Now that you know your fears, it’s time to question them, face them and look for ways to reduce them.
Plan your Next Move: Now that you know what’s the worst that can happen if you move out of your comfort zone, it is time to make a fresh plan and start implementing changes so that you can take small steps toward growth.
Learn from Others: What you fear today has already been done by someone else. Look for experts in your industry who are using the latest techniques and technologies to run their business. Now learn from their successes and implement them.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you are a small business owner or a garment manufacturer who wants to make your business more successful, it is time to overcome the fears holding you back from trying new things in your business. Find out what is your comfort zone and then start taking small steps to expand your business by working outside the tried and the tested.
Do you need an expert opinion on what you can do to grow your apparel business just like the experts in your industry? Contact me at +91-8587908918 for a 1-2-1 session over ZOOM, and I will be happy to help you to crack the code!
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