1- Acknowledge your fears.

Ask yourself what’s holding you back from making a change. It’s totally natural to feel scared or nervous at the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone. But when you allow those fears to hold you back, you could end up missing a lot of great opportunities. To begin the process of breaking out of your comfort zone, be honest with yourself and ask yourself what exactly you’re afraid of. Once you’re able to recognize your fears, it can be easier to make changes that directly address your worries.

• Ask yourself if you’re making excuses to avoid leaving your comfort zone. For example, did you turn down a project because you didn’t have time, or because you were afraid of presenting in front of your peers?
• It might help to keep a journal and write down your honest thoughts and feelings. When you’re done, read back over what you wrote and see if you can identify any patterns in your behavior or thinking.

2- Set goals for yourself.

You’ll be more motivated to make changes if you have a goal in mind. Ask yourself why you want to step out of your comfort zone. Is it important to your job? Your academic success? Your personal life? Once you’ve identified your “why,” set goals that are based on your reasoning and will ultimately help you achieve your desired results.

• For example, you might want to step out of your comfort zone and make more friends to combat feelings of loneliness. With this reason in mind, you might then make it a goal to talk to new people at work or school.

3- Picture your ideal reality to motivate yourself.

Think about the best-case scenario if you were to take a risk. If you need some incentive to take that first step out of your comfort zone, take a few moments to list out all of the best things that can come out of your actions. For example, think of the best-case scenario when it comes to making a career switch. You might make more money, be more satisfied with your work, and meet new people who share your interests.

• Another example would be if you took a chance and joined a volunteer organization. Some of the best things that could happen include making new friends, discovering a new passion of yours, and feeling a sense of pride toward the work you’re doing.

4- Reframe discomfort as progress.

Overcome fear by adopting a positive mindset. Whenever you try something new and make a move to step out of your comfort zone, remind yourself that the discomfort you’re feeling is ultimately progress that’s leading you to achieve your goals. Getting comfortable with discomfort is just like exercising a muscle; you have to continuously do it to get stronger and better. 

• Stay positive by practicing gratitude. Remind yourself of the good things you have in your life and all of the progress you’ve already made.

5- Take small steps to overcome challenges.

Start off easy and slowly work your way toward scarier things. There’s no need to dive into the deep end right away. Write down the things that make you uncomfortable or that you’re hesitant to try. Then, order them from easiest to hardest in terms of how difficult you think it’ll be to overcome them. Once you’ve made your list, start tackling the easier things and gradually work your way up to harder challenges.

• Think of this list like a to-do list and make each item as specific as possible.
• For example, if talking to new people makes you uncomfortable, add items like, “Ask for directions from someone,” “Talk to a store clerk,” and “Make conversation with a stranger.”

6- Research new experiences ahead of time.

You'll be more comfortable if you have some information beforehand. The fear of the unknown is what holds a lot of people back from trying new things. If you’re feeling a bit anxious about trying something new, do some digging online or ask friends or family for advice. This will leave you feeling a little less lost, and can even help you get excited about the change.

• For example, if you’re moving to New York City but don't know anything about it, research the different neighborhoods you could live in, how to navigate the subway system, and all the fun things you can do in the city.
• Utilize community forums like Reddit or Quora to read about other people’s experiences and advice.
• Always practice caution and use your best judgment when consulting information on the internet.