Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone (And Why It’s Always Worth It)

At Phase, we often talk about how one of the best ways to build resilience is to step outside your comfort zone.

There’s plenty of science to back this up — when we challenge ourselves and stretch beyond what feels safe or familiar, our brain forms new neural pathways, boosts confidence, and increases our ability to adapt. In short: comfort zones are comfy, but they’re not where growth happens.

But what happens when you have to walk the talk?

Comfort Zones Are Sneaky

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not afraid of a challenge. I like to push myself, stretch my thinking, and (usually) enjoy the thrill of doing new things. Over time, this means that most of the things I used to find scary are now comfortably within my zone.

But recently, I found myself stuck on a question:

“How do I keep growing if everything I do now feels… familiar?”

Enter: YouTube videos.

Wait, That’s Outside Your Comfort Zone?!

I know what you might be thinking:

Kieran — you literally talk for a living. You speak to teenagers, staff teams, churches, parents… how is a video hard for you?

Here’s the honest truth:

I love communicating when I know who I’m talking to.

In a room full of people, I thrive.

But hit “record” on my phone to speak into the digital void of YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, and my brain goes:

“WHO EVEN IS THIS FOR?!”

That uncertainty — not knowing who’s watching or how it will land — made me feel awkward, self-conscious, and (surprisingly) a bit shy.

The 7-Day Video Challenge

Once I recognised what was going on, I knew what I had to do.

I challenged myself to record one short video every day for a week.

No lighting rig. No script. Just me, my phone, and a mic.

Day 1: Awkward.

Day 2: Still weird.

Day 3: A bit easier.

Day 4: Almost fun.

Day 5–7: Confident, quick, relaxed… even excited.

The Science Bit

Psychologists call this “gradual exposure” — doing small versions of the thing you find uncomfortable. Over time, your brain stops sounding the internal alarm, and confidence increases.

Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman puts it this way:

“The only way to get comfortable with uncertainty is to expose yourself to it—deliberately, repeatedly, and with intention.”

Turns out, he’s right.

So… Was It Worth It?

Absolutely.

✅ I’m more confident communicating to a wider (and invisible!) audience

✅ I’ve broken through procrastination by just starting

✅ I’ve reminded myself that growth happens on the edge of discomfort

And here’s the beautiful bit:

A few days ago, someone stopped me at the gym.

“Hey, my daughter and I saw one of your Instagram reels — it was really helpful.”

That single comment reminded me:

Even if I don’t know exactly who I’m speaking to, what I say can still matter.

Your Turn: Take One Small Step

Every one of us has a comfort zone — big or small, wide or narrow.

And outside of that zone lies the growth, the resilience, and the confidence we’re all looking for.

So here’s your challenge:

👉 Pick one small thing this week that feels just a little uncomfortable.

Not terrifying. Just slightly awkward.

And do it.

Because that’s how we grow.

That’s how we build resilience.

And that’s how we unlock more of who we’re meant to be.

📲 Want to see how my video challenge turned out? Follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok — and maybe even start your own.

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