RULE #9: GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

"ONLY THOSE WHO WILL RISK GOING TOO FAR CAN POSSIBLY
FIND OUT HOW FAR ONE CAN GO."

-T.S. ELIOT

Taking greater risks leads to the possibility of greater rewards. Knowing how to take risks (and being comfortable with them) is important in every aspect of life, and it's no different with conferences and events. I guarantee some of your goals - if not all of them - can only be accomplished by you taking some sort of risk. You took some risks to get to where you are now. Keep taking them and you'll bring yourself to the next level.

Confidence is not a requirement for getting out of your comfort zone. I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Fake it till you make it." Your behavior affects your thoughts, and pretending to be confident by taking on the mindset and body language of a confident person, will actually make you become confident. Faking it is not a bad thing. Remember, we all have moments when we need to fake confidence.

When I was at MastermindTalks it took me a while before I worked up the courage to speak to Tim Ferriss. His books had literally changed my life and I really looked up to him. I was nervous and almost talked myself out of it. But I did it anyway.

Taking that first step was hard, but it made starting conversations with others that much easier. I know it can be hard, but just start with one conversation, and you'll be on a roll.

In a conference setting, you may see someone who looks as if they don't know where they're going. Or, you might see someone standing alone with that uncomfortable oh-god-I-don't-know-who- to-talk-to look on their face. Take the first step out of your comfort zone and go greet that person to see if you can help with anything. By focusing on delivering value to others, your fear will disappear because your mind will become focused on them and not yourself. This will take you a matter of two minutes, and the other person will feel comfortable coming up to you later on at the event.

Another way to break out of your comfort zone is to take the opportunity to ask questions. If the speaker opens it up to questions or comments, be sure to speak up. If you've been listening, taking notes, and comprehending what the speaker is saying, you'll easily be able to come up with an intelligent comment or question. Asking questions not only gets you answers, but has the added benefit of drawing the attention of everyone in the room, including the speaker. Even if you're nervous, only good can come out of speaking up.

If there's a speaker you'd like to meet, but you're unsure how to approach them, start by keeping tabs on where they are. If you see a speaker exit, wait a moment, then follow them out (you can fake a phone call and wait in the lobby). Wait to "casually" run into them before they go back into the event. Remember, people like to talk about themselves. Successful people, in particular, like to talk about their early struggles. Just ask them some questions about their start-up days and the conversation will be off to a good start.

Sometimes to make miracles happen we just need to jump in. Fear is really the only thing holding us back. It's okay to acknowledge your fears, but make sure you move past them. Don't let your fears turn into regrets.