Author Adam W. Barney On How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone To Grow Both Personally and Professionally
Say Yes Before You Feel Ready. Some of my biggest growth moments have come from committing to opportunities before I felt 100% prepared. Growth happens in action, not just in planning.
When I first started coaching, I didn’t wait until I had the “perfect” framework or a fully built-out system — I jumped in, worked with real people, and refined as I went. The truth is, confidence follows action, not the other way around. If I had waited until I felt “ready,” I’d still be waiting.
It feels most comfortable to stick with what we are familiar with. But anyone who has achieved great success will tell you that true growth comes from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. What are some ways that influential people have pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to grow both personally and professionally? As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Adam W. Barney.
Energy Coach and author of Make Your Own Glass Half Full: The Path To Empowered Optimism and Autonomy, Adam W. Barney, has helped hundreds of emerging and executive leaders unlock their goals, build vitality, and strengthen accountability for long-term transformation. With over two decades of experience in leadership positions at companies like Microsoft, Digitas, and Akamai Technologies, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge to his coaching practice. He believes optimism and autonomy empower us to overcome challenges and seize opportunities with confidence and resilience.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I grew up in a small, idyllic town in western Massachusetts, a quiet, predominantly white community. It was a safe place, nestled next to a larger city that had once thrived during the Industrial Revolution but had since faded by the early 80s when I was a child. Until about fifth grade, I attended Catholic school, an experience that profoundly shaped my views on spirituality — views that still influence my energy coaching practice today.
High school came and went, and soon I found myself heading off to college near Boston. Each step was a learning experience. What might surprise people who know me now is that I was an incredibly shy kid. This shyness persisted until late high school or early college. It’s hard to believe that my networking skills were hidden somewhere within me all that time.
I grew up in a stable family with two parents — my father worked while my mother stayed at home. I have a sister who is five and a half years younger than me. We didn’t have any pets growing up, yet now I find myself with two dogs. It’s amazing how life evolves and how our paths can change over time.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Energy flows where attention goes.”
This quote has been incredibly relevant in my life, especially in my work as an Energy Coach. I’ve learned that where I focus my attention — whether it’s on opportunities, challenges, or personal growth — is exactly where my energy follows.
Early in my career, I spent too much time reacting to external demands rather than intentionally directing my focus. I found myself drained, constantly putting out fires instead of building something sustainable. The moment I shifted my attention to what fuels me, rather than what depletes me, everything changed.
Now, I use this mindset to help leaders and entrepreneurs double their energy, focus on what matters, and build businesses that create lasting impact. When you take control of your attention, you take control of your energy — and that changes everything.
Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.) by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas is a book I wish I had encountered earlier in my leadership journey because it validates something I’ve always believed — that levity and humanity are essential in leadership. Even in my early days of managing and growing teams, I found that humor wasn’t just a tool for connection but a means to navigate challenges, ease tension, and build trust. One of my most memorable leadership moments with a Fortune 50 client during my ad agency days involved using tactful, calculated humor to diffuse a high-pressure situation, transforming a stressful project into a moment of shared resilience. This book reinforced that instinct and provided me with a framework to be intentional about it.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Let’s start with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. What does “getting outside of your comfort zone” mean?
Stepping outside your comfort zone means leaving behind the familiar, the habits we cling to, and the stereotypes that define our world.
Can you help articulate a few reasons why it is important to get out of your comfort zone?
It’s a necessary move for growth and change in both personal life and the broader world. It involves taking calculated risks and relying on tools and accountability partners to avoid following the crowd. This journey proves its worth by demonstrating how one can create meaningful change and push the world toward a better place.
Without those willing to defy the norm, we wouldn’t have groundbreaking products or leaders capable of making a positive impact. Staying in your comfort zone may feel safe, but it doesn’t challenge you to grow or contribute to a better world. We need more people willing to step out and strive for greater justice and equity.
I firmly believe that through my coaching, if I can inspire even a handful of individuals to act on their ideas and stay resilient, that’s a critical achievement. Helping someone take an idea from the back of their mind and bring it to life is invaluable.
Is it possible to grow without leaving your comfort zone? Can you explain what you mean?
I do believe growth is possible without leaving your comfort zone, but to truly make a significant change, you need to push at least a small part of yourself beyond it. It’s like examining the box you’re in — that’s your comfort zone. To genuinely pivot outside its lines, you must take actual steps. Staying within that comfort zone means fewer steps are needed.
Can you share some anecdotes from your personal experience? Can you share a story about a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone and how it helped you grow? How does it feel to take those first difficult steps?
My career began over two decades ago in corporate marketing, a journey I describe as non-linear and full of moments that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Fresh out of school, I landed a job at a venture capital-backed company just as digital marketing was emerging. They had developed a proprietary data and analytics tool, which set the stage for my next role in performance-driven marketing at a big ad agency.
I spent considerable time there before shifting gears to help a company bring grocery chains into the digital age. This led me to Microsoft, an organization that impacts nearly every person on the planet daily. My experience there paved the way for my first entrepreneurial venture: an independent boutique marketing agency.
The corporate world called me back, this time to Akamai Technologies, where I worked in a partnership center of excellence role rather than performance marketing. Each step of this journey required me to step outside my comfort zone repeatedly.
My transition into energy coaching came from an even deeper story, driven by that same desire to push beyond my boundaries. Throughout my career, self-efficacy and an inside-driven nature have propelled me to take risks and embrace new possibilities. Early on, it was tough. I often questioned the impact of my work during those big ad agency days.
Despite those struggles, I kept pushing forward, contemplating how I could make a meaningful change. This non-linear path has ultimately led me to where I am today.
What are your “five ways to push past your comfort zone, to grow both personally and professionally”?
Say Yes Before You Feel Ready
Some of my biggest growth moments have come from committing to opportunities before I felt 100% prepared. Growth happens in action, not just in planning.
When I first started coaching, I didn’t wait until I had the “perfect” framework or a fully built-out system — I jumped in, worked with real people, and refined as I went. The truth is, confidence follows action, not the other way around. If I had waited until I felt “ready,” I’d still be waiting.
Seek Out Stretch Conversations
Whether it’s networking with someone you admire, pitching an idea before you feel “polished,” or asking for feedback from someone who will challenge you — these interactions fuel real progress.
When I connected with Allison Byers at Scroobious, I knew we shared a passion for breaking down the power hierarchy in investment. Instead of just thinking, “Wow, I’d love to collaborate with her someday,” I reached out, started the conversation, and that led to real opportunities to support underrepresented founders that have led to some incredible things. Big things happen when you put yourself in the right rooms and start talking.
Do One Thing That Scares You Weekly
Comfort zones shrink unless we actively expand them. Set a goal to take one uncomfortable action each week — whether it’s speaking up in a high-stakes meeting, hitting publish on a bold idea, or reaching out to someone you think is “out of reach.”
I used to hesitate before posting on LinkedIn, overthinking every word. But once I committed to showing up consistently — sharing insights, stories, and even my own vulnerabilities — my business grew. That’s also why I encourage my coaching clients to take one small, uncomfortable step each week. Whether it’s a cold email, a public speaking gig, or launching a project, growth only happens in motion.
Create Accountability for Growth
Growth is easier when you’re not doing it alone. Whether it’s a coach, mentor, or personal board of advisors, having external accountability keeps you from retreating when things get uncomfortable.
This is why I built The Glass Half Full Collective — because I know how powerful it is to be in a room with people who won’t let you shrink back. In coaching my clients as well as my Comcast RISE grant recipients, I saw firsthand how much faster people moved toward their goals when they had a structured system of support. No one does this alone, and the right people will push you further than you’d ever go on your own.
Failure as Learning
Instead of seeing failure as an endpoint, see it as part of the iteration process. Every misstep is a chance to refine, improve, and move forward with new insights. The faster you take action and learn, the quicker you grow.
The Fully Optimized Human concept in my coaching practice didn’t come together in one perfect moment — it evolved through iteration. I tested it, adjusted it based on real client feedback, and kept improving. Same with my book — what’s in the final version looks nothing like my first draft, but that’s the point. Iteration is how everything worthwhile is built. If you wait for perfection before you start, you’ll never start. Growth isn’t about getting it right the first time — it’s about being willing to refine, improve, and keep going.
From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that keep someone from pushing out of their comfort zone?
There are a lot of reasons people get stuck in their comfort zone, but in my coaching — and through studying power and influence — I see the same barriers come up again and again.
One of the biggest is waiting for the perfect moment. Spoiler: it doesn’t exist. People convince themselves they’ll take action when they feel ready, when they have more experience, or when circumstances are ideal. But growth happens in motion, not in waiting. The real game-changer? Acting before you feel fully prepared and trusting that you’ll figure it out along the way.
Then there are the systemic barriers and stereotypes that shape access to power and opportunity. Not everyone starts from the same place, and that’s a reality we can’t ignore. Stereotypes — whether based on gender, race, background, or even personality type — affect how people see themselves and how others see them. If you don’t see people like you in leadership roles or certain industries, it can feel impossible to break in. But just because the system wasn’t designed with you in mind doesn’t mean you don’t belong. The key is recognizing these dynamics, learning to navigate them, and refusing to let them define your ceiling.
Fear of looking foolish holds so many people back. They don’t apply for the job, raise their hand, or put themselves out there because they worry about what others will think. But here’s the thing — most people are too caught up in their own lives to be analyzing your every move. And the people who do judge? They’re not the ones building anything meaningful. You can’t grow if your biggest concern is staying perfectly curated.
A lot of people also get stuck because they don’t understand power dynamics. I’ve seen this firsthand with founders and underrepresented leaders who have the skills, the ideas, and the drive, but struggle to break into the right rooms. Power isn’t just about talent — it’s about relationships, visibility, and knowing how to advocate for yourself. If you don’t know the unwritten rules, you can feel stuck in place. But once you learn how influence works, you stop waiting for permission and start creating your own path.
And finally, not knowing the next step keeps people frozen. When the big picture feels overwhelming, it’s easy to stall out. That’s why I always push for small, intentional actions — because confidence doesn’t come from thinking about change, it comes from proving to yourself that you can take action, one step at a time.
All of these barriers are real, but they’re also surmountable. The key is recognizing them, challenging the ones that don’t serve you, and moving forward anyway. That’s where real growth happens.
There is a well-known quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that says, “Do something that scares you every day”. What exactly does this mean to you? Is there inherent value in doing something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, even if it does not relate to personal or professional growth? For example, if one is uncomfortable about walking alone at night should they purposely push themselves to do it often for the sake of going beyond their comfort zone? Can you please explain what you mean?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the spirit of that quote, but I also think it gets misinterpreted a lot.
Doing something that scares you every day isn’t about recklessly pushing boundaries just for the sake of discomfort — it’s about intentional growth. Fear shows up in different ways, and not all fear is productive to push through.
There’s a big difference between expanding your comfort zone and putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
If someone is uncomfortable walking alone at night because of real safety concerns, forcing themselves to do it more often isn’t growth — it’s risk. But if the fear is tied to something like speaking up in a meeting, networking with someone new, or stepping into a leadership role, then pushing through that discomfort can lead to real personal and professional breakthroughs.
For me, the real value in stepping out of your comfort zone comes from recognizing when fear is holding you back from something meaningful. It’s about questioning whether that discomfort is a sign that you need to take action rather than avoid it.
Growth happens when you build the muscle of taking purposeful risks — not just doing scary things for the sake of it.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could inspire a movement that brings the most good to the most people, it would be about activating allyship in a way that actually creates change. A lot of people say they support justice, equity, and opportunity for others — but saying it and showing up for it are two very different things.
As a white male ally, I know firsthand the power and privilege that comes with my identity. I also know that real allyship isn’t about standing on the sidelines and hoping things get better. It’s about stepping up, speaking up, and taking action, even (especially) when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about using access, influence, and resources to create real opportunities for those who have been systematically excluded.
Activate Allyship would be about moving from passive support to active impact — helping more people recognize the power they already have and showing them how to use it to open doors, challenge systems, and shift access in meaningful ways. That means advocating when no one is watching, investing in underrepresented founders, amplifying voices that need to be heard, and making sure that inclusivity isn’t just a talking point — it’s a reality.
Because at the end of the day, the world doesn’t change because a few powerful people make bold moves. It changes when more people in positions of privilege actively choose to stand up instead of sitting back. That’s the movement I’d build. And that’s the kind of allyship we need more of.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
If I could have lunch with anyone, it would be Mel Robbins. Her work on mindset, confidence, and taking action has been a game-changer for so many people — including me. She has this incredible ability to cut through the noise, break down what holds people back, and push them toward real momentum.
I’d love to sit down with her and talk about energy, leadership, and what really drives people to move past hesitation and into action. We share a belief that small shifts — whether it’s the 5-Second Rule or the way we frame our own potential — can change everything. And honestly? I’d just love to pick her brain on how she keeps showing up, scaling impact, and staying grounded while doing it.
Tagging @MelRobbins — let’s make this happen? 🚀
How can our readers follow you online?
I’d love to connect with you and support your journey to building energy, resilience, and optimism. Here’s how you can follow and learn more:
The best place to find me is on LinkedIn. Click my name, Adam W. Barney, hit follow, and tap the 🔔 to explore leadership insights, personal growth strategies, forward-thinking ideas, and the occasional riff on the music that keeps me inspired.
You can also dive deeper into my work through my Energy Coach practice there and find out more about my book, Make Your Own Glass Half Full: The Path to Empowered Optimism and Autonomy.
Finally, if you’re ready to take action today, download my free Energy Boost Blueprint. It’s a simple, powerful guide to help you optimize your energy and start creating momentum.
Let’s build a future where your glass isn’t just half full — it’s overflowing. I’m excited to hear what resonates with you and to help you on your journey!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Author Adam W Barney On How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone To Grow Both Personally and Professional was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.