Karn Brown Of DRIVE Method On How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone to Grow Both Personally and Professionally
An Interview With Maria Angelova
Learn to take risks. Taking risks can be scary, but it is a necessary step in pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Without taking risks, you can’t grow or discover new opportunities.
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 Karn Brown.
Karn Brown is a speaker and business coach whose mission is to empower and inspire women to thrive in their uniqueness, be rich in health and wealth, and confidently live the life they want. She developed the DRIVE Method, an unconventional but proven way, to help women focus on their strengths and overcome roadblocks, such as limiting beliefs, to achieve any level of success and recognition they desire. Through her speaking and coaching she talks about leading with authenticity, living abundantly, rising above the restraints and microaggressions toward women and LGBTQ+ in the workplace, mindset and achievement.
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?
As long as I can remember I’ve been curious, adventurous and optimistic. I was fascinated and intrigued by other people’s lives so I would read a ton of books, both biographies and fiction, as I wanted to explore the world beyond the one I lived in.
My first memory of using mindset to accomplish something bigger was when I was in third grade. We were learning the basics of basketball in gym class. I saw kids my height or shorter shooting for the hoop and making it. I kept trying but I just couldn’t seem to make a basket. I honestly am not sure why this was so important to me, but I felt I had something to prove to myself, and that was that I could do it. One day I skipped lunch and went to the gym and shot baskets. I tried different moves and angles but still couldn’t make a basket but I had this feeling deeper inside that I would be able to make a basket if I just kept trying. I skipped lunch the next day too, but no basket. I skipped lunch the third day and it felt different. In my mind I knew I could do it, but that day I actually did it! The mindset skills I discovered on my own as an 8 year old were just the beginning of a lifetime practice.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Oprah said “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams”. I love this because it summarizes that in having a rich life there will be challenges but it will be worth it as you’re taking the steps to living life as only you can imagine. Oprah took on the role of a talk show host despite her fear of public speaking. It’s hard to even imagine as she seems so comfortable, knowledgeable and fun when she’s interviewing famous people. Every one of us experiences self doubt, fears of failure, and even fear of success. When we rise above our fears amazing things happen. Oprah understood the importance of pushing out of her comfort zone in order to grow both personally and professionally.
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?
There have been several but currently it’s Mel Robbins. I listen to her podcasts and follow her on Instagram. She does an amazing job of sharing her own life’s challenges and how she faces and overcomes the obstacles. It’s entertaining, deeply researched and authentic. She comes across as an expert and kind human all at once. She’s impacting many lives and I imagine it’s impacting hers as she overcomes her fears to make a difference for others.
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?
Doing something that is uncomfortable or challenging to achieve a new result.
Can you help articulate a few reasons why it is important to get out of your comfort zone?
Personal growth: Challenging yourself with new experiences helps you to grow and develop as a person, both personally and professionally.
Increased confidence: By facing new challenges and overcoming fears, you build confidence and resilience, which can translate into other areas of your life.
Breaking habits: Doing the same things repeatedly can create patterns and habits that limit your potential. By getting outside of your comfort zone, you can break these patterns and develop new and more productive habits.
Broadening perspective: By exposing yourself to new experiences, people, and ideas, you broaden your perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the world around you.
Improved decision-making skills: Taking calculated risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone can help you to become more decisive and better equipped to handle challenging situations.
Creates opportunities: By taking risks and pursuing new experiences, you open yourself up to new opportunities and possibilities that may not have been available to you before.
Is it possible to grow without leaving your comfort zone? Can you explain what you mean?
Yes, it is possible to grow without leaving your comfort zone. Personal growth and development can occur through introspection, self-reflection, learning and seeking knowledge. While stepping outside of your comfort zone can provide opportunities for rapid growth and development, it is not the only way to grow. Personal growth and development can also occur through intentional and consistent effort to improve oneself, such as setting and achieving personal goals, practicing mindfulness or learning a new skill. Personal growth and development are a combination of both internal and external factors. The balance between comfort and challenge will vary from person to person.
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?
I was in a sales role at a tech company and consistently hitting or exceeding my quota. Our team’s numbers were down and my manager told me she needed me to do 200% of quota next month. My first thoughts were that it is impossible, how would I ever do that and why me? I respected and admired this manager so I considered it more carefully. The “why me” thought became what does she see in me that I’m not seeing in myself? I began to question if it was possible and consider ways to make it happen. My heart was beating fast. I took a deep breath and told her I would do it. Panic! I had committed. But then something amazing happened. I started thinking differently and changed how I was approaching my work. I became more efficient, more creative and focused. I sold 200% of quota that month and never would have done so if I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone. Because I changed my attitude and habits I was able to achieve great results like that month after month, year after year. That became my new comfort zone!
Here is the central question of our discussion. What are your “five ways to push past your comfort zone, to grow both personally and professionally”?
Learn to take risks. Taking risks can be scary, but it is a necessary step in pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Without taking risks, you can’t grow or discover new opportunities.
Embrace failure. Failure is a natural part of growth and is necessary to get out of your comfort zone. Recognize that failure can be a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Be willing to make mistakes and use those mistakes to propel yourself forward.
Develop a growth mindset. It’s the belief that you can learn and improve your skills, knowledge, and abilities over time. Be open to new challenges and ideas in order to reach your full potential. Use your growth mindset to push out of your comfort zone and reach new heights of success.
Welcome change. Change can be difficult, but it is essential for personal and professional growth. Recognize that change can be a powerful tool for growth and success. Be willing to accept change and use it as an opportunity to grow and evolve.
Seek out new experiences and opportunities. Step outside of your usual routine and expose yourself to new challenges. Take a class or workshop, travel to a new place, or join a club or group that aligns with your values. Engaging in new activities helps you develop new skills, learn more about yourself, and gain confidence in your abilities.
From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that keep someone from pushing out of their comfort zone?
Limiting beliefs, motivation and social pressure.
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?
This is different for everyone as we all have different comfort levels. I believe the intent of the quote is to challenge yourself and be open to other possibilities. Sometimes scary things are actually scary and you shouldn’t do them. If you want to grow personally or professionally you will have to step outside of your comfort zone.
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?
My mission is to empower and inspire women to thrive in their uniqueness, be rich in health and wealth, and confidently live the life they want. Recognizing and celebrating each other’s capabilities and potential is supportive and empowering.
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!
Mel Robbins! She’s authentic, inspirational, vulnerable and empowering. We both care deeply about living your fullest life and being true to your values.
How can our readers follow you online?
Website: https://www.karnbrown.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karnbrown
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karnbrown.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karnbrown_co
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
Karn Brown Of DRIVE Method On How to Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone to Grow Both Personally and… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.