Many of us, if left to our druthers, would prefer to live our lives within the friendly confines of our “comfort zone.” And why not? That’s where life is easy, familiar, and totally risk free. Many people view their comfort zone as a sanctuary that protects them from all the dangers lurking out there in the in the world. The truth, however, is that our comfort zone is more like a prison than a sanctuary. And the longer we live within it, the more fearful we become of what’s on the outside—we stop trying new things, the size of our dreams begins to shrink, and life becomes stagnant and unfulfilling. When you think about it, that’s a hefty price to pay for a thimble full of security. So, do yourself a favor and break out of that self-imposed prison. Get out there and try some new things—make some new friends, go to some new places, try some new recipes, read books from a different genre, or take that class you always wanted to take. This will cause you to learn and grow while adding a dimension of fun and excitement to your life. It will also improve your level of confidence, broaden your perspective, and give you a lot more to talk about in your conversations with others.