The comfort zone can be a great pace to hang out. Some people hang out there for their whole life. That’s because everyone likes a place where they can feel safe. The problem is that you can get lost in your comfort zone and staying there can limit your opportunities. To achieve more happiness and get the most out of your life you need to break free of your comfort zone.

When you break free of your comfort zone you bring a whole new world of excitement, passion, experiences, friends, financial opportunities, and knowledge into your life. By doing this you choose happiness. But in order to achieve the happiness you are searching for you must embrace change.

The one thing that is constant about life is change. Some people believe that change isn’t a good thing. They’re the same ones that thought that going over 30 miles an hour would kill a human being, or that there was no way man could fly. They’re the ones at the water cooler always griping about the way the company keeps changing how things are done, unaware that change keeps the company viable in the marketplace and them employed.

If you want to really get the most out of you life then decide right now that you like change.  In fact, decide that you want to embrace change. As a result you’ll get into the habit of finding the good in every change. This will allow you to become more comfortable with the idea of change itself and give you the ability to view life as an adventure. With this mindset, you’re ready, willing, and able to break free of your comfort zone and start achieving even more happiness.

If you feel you’re stuck in the comfort zone then try these effective techniques to help you break free:

1. Work on developing a positive mindset. In the comfort zone you’re living in a bubble. The problem with living in a bubble is that when the bubble breaks the emotion you are most likely to feel is fear. If this happens to you, focus on keeping a positive mindset. Instead of thinking about everything that could go wrong, think about how everything could go right. Even though you’re out of your comfort zone, believe that this new opportunity will bring you to a place that will help you actually achieve more happiness in your life.

2. Use positive visualization. When you stay in a familiar place you’re actually limiting your imagination. There is a way to exercise your imagination, it’s called positive visualization. You can use positive visualization to envision doing new things that you never considered before.

If you find it difficult to use your positive visualization muscles then try some new activities. New activities will stimulate your mind and can help you come up with new thoughts on what you’re already working on as well as future ideas.

3. Don’t try to do everything all at one time. If you have never run more than a mile in your life it’s not a good idea to run a marathon. Even if you survive it might take you a long time to recover. The same goes for when you’re making changes. Don’t try to do too much all at once. The problem with trying to do too much too fast is it may shock you back to your bubble. Take baby steps as you build your change muscles.

Always remember that every step you take toward the change you are making is a step forward. As long as you keep trying, these steps will add up to something big.

4. Try something new. This doesn’t need to be terribly exciting and you don’t even need to have any expectations about the results. Just do something different, like trying a new restaurant or taking a different route to work. If you really want to break out of your comfort zone do something differently each day, even if it’s just brushing your teeth with your opposite hand. Soon you’ll be looking forward to your daily adventure!

5. Ask for and accept help. If you’re feeling uncomfortable in a new situation ask for help. This one is hard for many people, especially men, but if you ask your friends and family for help, 9 times out of 10 you’ll get the help you asked for. Asking for help just might alleviate your stress while you’re breaking free of your comfort zone. It also might help you get what you want faster and easier.

6. Meet new people. Be open to accepting new friends and acquaintances. Say hello to people you meet. Strike up casual conversations with people you meet at work, at the gym or anywhere else you hang out regularly. If you don’t go to where you can meet new people regularly then go back to suggestion number 4 and do something different. There are billions of people on this planet and many of them would like to meet someone new and interesting like you. You never know when you might be able to form a new relationship with someone. Your new friends will help you break free of your comfort zone by bringing their friends and new ideas into your life.

There are no set rules for breaking out of your comfort zone and achieving more happiness in your life. Remember, your main goal is to be happy with where your life is and where it is taking you. If you’re happy where you are in your comfort zone, then don’t try to be someone you aren’t. However, if you’re worried that staying in your comfort zone might limit your opportunities and cause you long term regret then try using these simple steps to success to help you achieve more happiness in your life. As you break free of your comfort zone you soon find yourself growing daily and getting more out of your life. To choose more happiness in your life, all it takes is to take a little action each day to help you break free of your comfort zone.

Wil Dieck is the founder of Total Mind Therapy. Come back to this blog often for more positive thinking tips.