This articles offer the reader ten practical, solution oriented tips filled with loads of positive ideas and exercises they can do to get out of their comfort zone rut.

Here are ten things you can start doing today to move out of your comfort zone and get unstuck!

Make a long, long list of things you once couldn't do but now can. Start from 'babyhood' and work your way up to the present day in time. For example: as a baby you learned how to walk, but before you could walk you had to learn how to crawl, then pull yourself up, then stand alone. As a youngster, you may have learned how to swim. As an adult, you may have learned to skydive. Think about what it took to master these activities.

Recall the times in your life when you were frightened or scared but found courage. Remember the first time you sat behind the wheel of a car. You probably felt very grown up and excited but scared at the same time. You needed to focus your attention on a dozen things at once. The clutch. The rear view mirror. The gear shift. The gas pedal. The brake. Mom or Dad giving instructions. The road. The traffic. The road signs. Other cars parked nearby. You get the idea. Yet today you jump into your car and drive away without thinking twice about how you got to be so good at this skill.

Start taking little risks in your everyday activities. Rearrange your living room furniture. Drive home a different way. Eat supper with the opposite hand. Smile at two strangers. Compliment your spouse, children or co-workers.

Plan three outings in the next month that are either free or cost less than $5.00. A trip to the museum or an art gallery. A "reading" at a local bookstore. Attend a local festival. Take a drive to a town or city nearby you've never been before and check it out.

Think back to a happy time in your life when things were going well. What were you doing? What activities were you involved in? What hobbies did you pursue in your leisure time? What was exciting about your job? your relationships? your life? your community? Get involved again doing those things that worked for you!

Clean up the clutter. Take care of things you are tolerating in your life. Clean out your files. Tidy up your closet. Give or throw away stuff you don't need. Clean out a "junk drawer" at home or in your office. Banish junk mail from the kitchen counter. Send your winter coat to the cleaners.

Nudge yourself out of old, familiar grooves. Send a "Just Thinking About You" card to someone you haven't been in touch with for awhile. Get out and go for a brisk walk. Notice the color of the trees, grass, flowers. Fill your lungs up with fresh air. Sing a favorite, uplifting song in your head. Change radio stations. Watch the "news" on another channel. Go to a different church. Volunteer an hour of your time a week for a good cause.

Make a list of things you've always wanted to do but were afraid to try. Maybe it's making a speech. Perhaps making the first move towards someone you are attracted to. Speaking up when not saying anything would be easier. Saying "no" when you mean "no" and "yes" when you mean "yes". Get some support, assistance and encouragement from a trusted friend or your coach and go for it. It's only really scary the first time... it gets easier after that! When you do something for the first time, your concept of yourself changes from someone who is sure they couldn't to someone who now knows they can! Victory is sweet!

Learn something new. Register for a class at your local community college. Sign up for dance lessons. Go to a seminar or workshop sponsored by your local hardware store, gardening shops, Chamber of Commerce, local department stores. Learning something new is not only interesting but fun!

Do something daringly different. Update your wardrobe. Change your hairstyle. Get that tattoo you've always wanted. Eat squid. Go whitewater rafting. Learn to snowboard. Hire a coach.

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Copyright 1995/2000 Sharon House, Master Certified Coach

Internationally known as "the House Doctor with your "Prescriptions for Success", Dr. Sharon House is a creative, intuitive, and solution oriented master certified personal and business coach. Supportive, down-to-earth and quick witted by nature; straightforward, knowledgeable and progressive in her multiple fields of expertise by design; she has a knack for getting to the nitty-gritty simply, quickly and efficiently. A published author, trainer, mentor coach for coaches, and hypnotherapist, this fun-loving soul with a soaring entrepreneurial spirit invites you to visit her sites, http://www.InstaCoach.com and http://www.Housecoach.com or contact her at mailto:housecoach@instacoach.com

Welcome to the place where you can finally get to work on your dream! 
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