You want to express that you are trying something new or unfamiliar in an application to a school or workplace. But is the phrase stepping out of your comfort zone the correct thing to say?
Below, we’ll discuss the correctness of this phrase and what exactly it means. Moreover, we’ll look at 10 great synonyms for this phrase that you can use to stand out.
Is It Correct to Say “Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone”?
The phrase stepping out of my comfort zone is grammatically correct and a good idiom to express that you want to try something new and learn more about your capabilities.
Therefore, you can use this phrase in a personal essay in a university application or in your resume if you are pursuing an exciting new career path.
Below, we’ll show you how to use this phrase in two examples.
In our first example, we’ll look at a letter to the dean of a university:
Dear Dean Hall,
I am applying to this institution because I have decided it is time to step out of my comfort zone.
I hope that you will recognize my commitment to this pursuit.
Yours sincerely,
Aisha Weston
Next, we’ll look at how one might use this phrase in a work email:
Dear Donna,
I have noticed some potential in you and want to promote you to the front desk.
You will be stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting clients in this role, but I’m sure you will excel.
All the best,
Fiona Gatsby
Although stepping out of my comfort zone is a correct and effective idiom, it is fairly standardized and even considered cliché.
Therefore, if you want your resume or personal statement to stand out, you might consider trying one of the alternative phrases we have provided below.
10 Synonyms for Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Check out these 10 ways to say that you’re ready to try something new:
- Broaden my horizons
- Challenge myself
- Explore an array of options
- Learn something new
- Become a beginner again
- Start a new adventure
- Dare to try
- Take a leap of faith
- Step into the unknown
- Come out of my shell
1. Broaden My Horizons
To broaden your horizons means to expand your knowledge and interests by trying new experiences.
Therefore, if you are looking to study a new field at a college, broaden my horizons is a great phrase to include in your personal essay.
Have a look at the example below:
Having grown up in a very monolithic, Western suburbia, I would like to pursue this degree in order to broaden my horizons.
2. Challenge Myself
Saying you want to challenge yourself is another way to talk about getting out of your comfort zone. This phrase is a great way to impress a potential employer, especially if you lack experience in a particular role.
Including this phrase in your resume or cover letter will let the hiring manager know that you are aware of your inexperience. However, you won’t let it stop you.
Furthermore, this will show your bravery and determination, as starting an unfamiliar role is never easy!
Therefore, let’s see how you can use this phrase in an example:
I am applying for this role because I have never worked at an in-house agency before, and I am keen to challenge myself in this regard.
3. Explore an Array of Options
Perhaps, you have found yourself following a certain path for some time. Perhaps, you have decided to re-evaluate your direction in life. If so, you can say that you want to explore an array of options.
For instance, you might have expected to follow in your parent’s career footsteps. However, you’ve now decided to learn what’s out there. This would be a great reason to go back to school and learn a new trade.
Therefore, you can explain that you want to explore an array of options in your personal essay or in your letter to the dean of a college.
Check out this example:
I have worked in my father’s auto shop for several years, but I have recently taken an interest in a number of humanities subjects, including literature and film. Therefore, I am applying to your institution so that I can explore an array of options and figure out what I enjoy.
4. Learn Something New
Employers are always looking for people who are inquisitive and ready to take on instruction.
Therefore, it’s sensible to add that you would like to learn something new in your cover letter if you are applying for a role you’ve not worked in before.
This will let your potential employer know that you are tenacious when faced with the unknown.
Have a look at this sample:
Although my experience is in publishing rather than social media, I have many transferable skills and I am always keen to learn something new,
5. Become a Beginner Again
Perhaps you’ve decided to switch career paths. An exciting (and moderately terrifying) decision at any stage of life!
Nonetheless, you can use the phrase become a beginner again in an introductory email at your new job. This phrase will let your boss and colleagues know that you are starting anew and looking at things with fresh eyes.
In other words, you are open to learning and, in fact, excited to do so!
Let’s see this phrase in an email example:
Hi Team,
I really appreciate the opportunity to work with you all.
As some of you may know, I am new to the office environment.
But with that said, I am excited to become a beginner again, and I appreciate your support in this regard.
All the best,
Joan Wellston
6. Start a New Adventure
Start a new adventure is another phrase you can use in a personal essay or an email to a professor. You can use it to express that you want to explore a new field of study or training.
Learning is a journey, and you can come out of it with a whole new perspective. Funnily enough, travel has a similar effect! This makes this phrase a perfect analogy that will hopefully move the reader of your essay.
Let’s see this phrase in an example:
I am applying for this course because I want to start a new adventure and explore a new intellectual terrain.
7. Dare to Try
The phrase dare to try expresses courage in the face of the unknown. Therefore, it is a great synonym for stepping out of your comfort zone.
This phrase acknowledges that starting a new journey can be frightening, but you are willing to take the risk. This makes the phrase dare to try a very compelling phrase to include in an application to a college.
See the email sample below:
To Dean Claudette of Hargrove University
As the first member of my family to attend college, I am nervous about my abilities.
However, I decided I should dare to try.
I hope you will consider me.
Regards,
Howl Matthew
8. Take a Leap of Faith
To take a leap of faith is to do something risky, trusting that things will work out in the end.
This is a great synonym for stepping out of your comfort zone since you are not sure what the outcome will be, but you give it a go anyway.
Taking a leap of faith takes courage, so this is a great phrase to use in a university application. After all, it will show your commitment to your studies despite your uncertainty.
Let’s see this phrase in an example:
The world of game design is all but unfathomable to me. In applying for this course, I am taking a leap of faith and trusting in my abilities to adapt.
9. Step Into the Unknown
To step out of your comfort zone often means to step into the unknown. After all, you will always be more comfortable with that which is familiar.
Therefore, you can use this phrase in your personal essay to show your excitement at the prospect of exploring new academic territory.
For instance:
Dear Mr. Gett,
I am stepping into the unknown right now, but I believe that might be a good thing.
Nothing can be more satisfying than getting an education and turning the unknown into the now known.
Please consider me for your course.
Yours sincerely,
Thandeka Dube
10. Come Out of My Shell
You can use the phrase come out of my shell at work, especially if you recently started a new job.
This is a nice little idiom to include in a message to your new colleagues. It will let them know that you are excited to learn from them and adjust to your new workspace.
For example, check out the email below:
Dear Team,
I greatly appreciate the warm welcome today.
I know that, with all your support and guidance, I will come out of my shell and become a trusted member of the team.
My best,
Cameron
