What happens when you stop playing small?
What does it mean to play small?
Written like this, it sounds so negative: “playing small”. None of us want to admit such a thing. So let me rephrase it. How big is your comfort zone, and when was the last time you tried to step out of it? That’s what it means to “play small”, it means living in self-imposed limitations, avoiding risks, and not fulling expressing your true-self, your true potential because you are afraid, crippled by self-doubts, or by some external pressure.
Many of us can relate to staying in our comfort zones, missing opportunities because we're afraid of failure or not feeling like we are "good enough". I am guilty of it more times than I care to admit. One of my biggest discomfort is being in front of the camera, and if you go on my Instagram, you will have difficulties finding posts where I put myself forward. It doesn't mean that I don't want to connect with my audience, but that showing myself is something that terrifies me.
So yes, we stay in our comfort zones because it feels safe, familiar, and less likely to expose us to failure or criticism. But by doing so, we limit our potential and miss out on opportunities for personal and professional growth.
When we choose to stop playing small, however, incredible transformations can happen. When we embrace our full potential, we increase our self-confidence, we experience a stronger sense of purpose and we have a more fulfilling life.
Of course this journey outside our comfort zones isn't easy. It is challenging as much as it is empowering, but the rewards are limitless. In this article we will explore how to take the first steps to break out of your comfort zone, and how you can begin your journey toward reclaiming your power.
Why do you play small?
The influence of fear, self-doubts, and limiting beliefs.
It is so easy to stay stuck in playing small because you are afraid or because you carry some limiting belief that makes you doubt yourself. Sometimes these fear and doubts are at the front of your minds, but most often they are buried deep in your sub-conscious.
Are you afraid of failure? Or maybe you are afraid of actually succeeding? Yes, there is such a thing as being afraid of success, because it can be synonym of change, loss of control or increased expectations. But fear of success is a whole other subject that I will dive into in another blog post. The point here is that we don't keep playing small just out of habits but also because we are being held back by our own minds.
When was the last time you paused and really paid attention to your inner dialogue?
Whether it's imposter syndrome, feelings of inadequacy, or perfectionism, these thoughts keep you from claiming your full power and achieving your goals. Take a moment to reflect on your life: Have you ever felt like you were holding yourself back because of fear? How has that impacted your life? In your career, in your relationships, and in your personal growth, fear and self-doubt can manifest in ways that limit your happiness and fulfilment.
If you want to dive deeper into how fear and limiting beliefs impact your mental well-being, I invite you to check out this article on Psychology today about it.
The cost of playing small.
What you are losing by staying in your comfort zone.
When you choose to stay within your comfort zone, it is, well… comfortable and familiar. But the price you pay for it in both your personal and your professional growth is significant:
Missed opportunities: I say it so often that I sound like a broken record, but you cannot expect things to change, to evolve, if you don't. Change and transformation can only happen outside of your comfort zone, and you need to give yourself the chance to do just that.
Decline in self-confidence: Over time, continually holding yourself back will chip away your self-esteem. Every time you avoid a challenge or let an opportunity pass, you are reinforcing the belief that you are not capable. And we both know that it is not true!
Feeling stuck or unfulfilled: This is one of the most common consequences of playing small. Feeling stuck is something that can eat your confidence away but also your motivation, and it can even alter your relationships. When you feel stuck, you feel misaligned, disconnected from your true-self and your desires.
Difficulty reaching long term goals: Maybe you are dreaming of a new career, a promotion or you might simply want to improve your health, but if you keep playing small, if you keep inside your comfort zone, you're holding yourself back from taking the actions that will actually move the needle and make true progress.
In short, if you keep playing small, you will keep on missing on great opportunities, and worse, you will loose your self-confidence. In the end your comfort zone will become your own mind-cage, altering your emotional and mental well-being a little more every single day. Do you really want a life filled with "what ifs" or would you rather break free from the beliefs holding you back?
The good news is that it is absolutely possible to rewrite your narrative. That I can promise. I have done it, and so can you. If you want to learn how to reframe your limiting beliefs, I invite you to grab my Mindset Makeover Kit, a digital program filled with practical tools to identify and overcome your limitations.
What happens when you stop paying small?
What it means to embrace your full potential?
My very own business is called "Empower To Thrive Coaching" and I have used and overused sentences like "unlock your potential". But what does it mean? What does it look like? How does it feel?
When you focus on your mindset, when you choose growth and uncertainty over your comfort zone, the transformations in your life are profound and far reaching.
Increased self-confidence and sense of accomplishment: Each time you take a risk, each time you push beyond your perceived limits, your confidence grows. Accomplishing something you once thought was impossible helps you trust your abilities, making you more likely to take on even greater challenges in the future.
Greater personal and professional opportunities: When you start showing up as your true self (you know, this amazing, smart, badass woman you keep inside), you naturally attract more opportunities. Stepping into your power will open doors that were previously out of reach.
A stronger sense of purpose and fulfilment: By living boldly and pursuing what truly matters to you, your life becomes more aligned with your values and your passions. This is where your purpose lies and where you will be able to fuel your motivation.
More meaningful relationships: Whether it's friendships, romantic relationships, or professional partnerships, living boldly, stepping out of your comfort zone, will foster deeper and more fulfilling connections because you will attract the people who align with your authentic self.
Personal growth is so empowering. A few years ago, I realised that I was playing small: I was so afraid of failure and the judgement of others, that I was stuck in a life that did not feel fulfilling. It took me quite some time to challenge my limiting beliefs and step out of my comfort zone. But this is how I realised I could not only have my own business but also fuel it with my passion for helping other women. This is also how I created the "Reclaim Your Power" program, a 1:1 coaching program designed to teach you and help you break free from the cycle of fear and self-doubt to step into the life you deserve.
If you're ready to embrace your full potential (now that we know what it truly means), and start living boldly, I invite you to explore my "Reclaim Your Power" program. It offers hands on guidance, practical tools, and personalised support to help you take the leap into a more empowered and fulfilling life.
You can also check this insightful article about the health benefits of overcoming your fears HERE.
How to stop playing small.
Practical steps to start living fully.
Beginning to live the life you truly desire is simple even if it is not super easy. To help you take the leap, here are some actionable steps to break free from your limiting beliefs and embrace your full potential:
Identify your limiting beliefs: This is the first step. To make a change you NEED to identify what is holding you back. I know it is hard, introspection like this can bring up painful thoughts. You need to be aware of them to fight them. Phrases like " I'm not good enough" or "I don't deserve success" - are at the root of why you keep playing small. What stories are you telling yourself that keep you from taking risks? The Mindset Makeover Kit is designed to help you uncover these limiting beliefs and provides practical exercises to shift your mindset.
Set Big Bold Goals: Growth happens when we challenge ourselves to aim higher than we've ever allowed ourselves to before. Start by setting goals that are both ambitious and exciting - goals that might make you feel a little uncomfortable, but also give you a sense of purpose.
Take small steps out fo your comfort zone: It's important to remember that growth takes time, and meaningful changes don't happen overnight. You need to take small but consistent actions to create lasting change. As those little steps add up, you will build the confidence and the momentum you need to tackle larger challenges.
Surround yourself with support: One of the most critical aspects of growth is having a support system. Surround yourself with people who encourage and lift you up. A supportive community can hold you accountable, provide encouragement when things get tough, and celebrate your victories with you.
Here is a little exercise to get you started:
Take a moment to journal about one area of your life where you feel you've been playing small. What are the limiting beliefs holding you back? What would taking a bigger, bolder step look like for you? Write down one action, no matter how small, that you can take today to move closer to your full potential.
The Journey of Self-Improvement
Empowerment and fulfilment are not one-time achievements but a life-long journey. They will happen one step at a time, as you challenge yourself and your comfort zone. With every small victory, you will become the version of yourself you know you're capable of being. Celebrate these, they will add up quickly and fill your life with joy along the way to your big goals.
Though the journey of self-empowerment has its challenges, the rewards far outweighs the fears. Embracing your full potential not only shifts how you see yourself but also how you show up in the world.
Now is the time to stop playing small.
There is no better time than NOW to start reclaiming your power. Facing your fears and limiting beliefs takes courage, but the growth you'll experience is limitless.
Start small if you need, but start. You deserve to experience the freedom and fulfilment that comes from living your full potential.
If you're seeking tools and guidance to support you on this journey, there are many ressources available to help you overcome fear, build confidence, and move forward. For those ready to explore what’s possible for you, I offer free discovery calls where we can dive into your unique situation and discuss the steps you can take to start living boldly. It’s an opportunity to get clarity on where you are now, where you want to go, and how you can bridge that gap. No commitment—just a chance for us to connect and explore how I can support you on your journey.
