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E27 [SUCCESS HABIT #6] Moving Beyond Fear and Comfort Zones
- S1E27
- 13:00
- January 9th 2025
Step out of the familiar—real success starts where your comfort zone ends. In this episode, we're breaking down how to move through those moments of fear and self-doubt, so you can claim your freedom on the other side of the terror barrier.
If you want to grow, you can’t stay safe forever. Most of us hit a point where the comfort zone becomes more like a cage than a sanctuary.
Getting to the next level—not just in business, but in life—means calling up real courage to face doubt, anxiety, and the voice in your head saying, “Maybe I should just wait.”
The strategies and stories in this conversation will help you recognize the traps we all fall into, and give you the keys to break out.
What you need to know
There are four stages people cycle through when facing change: comfort, reasoning, terror, and ultimately, freedom. As Donna and Londina share, most folks just loop through the first three—forever circling comfort, talking themselves out of growth, and running from fear.
The real challenge is to keep moving forward when everything inside you screams to play it safe. Our inner dialogue wields enormous power, shaping whether we step forward into growth or retreat to the familiar.
It’s common for well-meaning friends and loved ones to encourage you to stay comfortable. They want you by their side, not realizing it can hold you back.
That’s often why working with a coach or seeking advice from someone who’s walked this path before is so powerful—they'll help you spot when you’re drifting back to old patterns.
What you need to do
- Listen to your self-talk and honestly pinpoint what stage you’re in. Are you justifying staying put? Arguing with yourself about why a goal isn’t possible? Or are you feeling the raw nerves of the terror barrier?
- Build a rebuttal for your unhelpful thoughts. When the reasoning or fear pops up, counter them with logic and affirmation: “I can do this. A setback doesn’t determine my finish line.”
- Use your awareness as fuel. Instead of letting fear decide, ask yourself what’s really holding you back. What's genuinely the worst that could happen? What’s actually likely?
- Visualize the outcome you want. Spend a few minutes daily picturing the moment you’ve succeeded. The brain learns from imagination—attach deep emotion to your vision, and you’ll make success feel real before it ever happens.
- Remember, your brain's designed to protect you—often by keeping you small. Train it to support your growth, and let go of the drama that comes with worst-case thinking.
Your Next Step
Start tracking your thoughts today. Identify which stage you're in and jot down your internal dialogue. Then, craft one powerful counter-affirmation and practice visualizing your boldest goal as if it’s already complete.
00:00
00:28 Episode Overview: Success Habit Number Six
01:05 Engage with IBGR Community
01:48 Understanding the Comfort Zone
02:46 Navigating the Terror Barrier
05:13 Tips to Break Through Your Comfort Zone
08:56 Visualizing Success and Overcoming Fear
11:51 Conclusion and Next Steps
Building Success Habits
“The more tranquil a person becomes, the greater is their success, their influence, their power for good.” James Allen
"Building Success Habits" is a podcast hosted by Donna Kunde (Business Coach) and Londina Cruz (Life Strategist). The show is all about sharing practical tips, strategies, and insights for building success habits in all areas of life.
This show was originally produced as hour-long radio content, later adapted into 4-episode Signature Season themes for podcast listeners.
The podcast explores a variety of success habits, including goal-setting, resilience, focus, and productivity. Each episode provides insights into how these habits can be developed and maintained, along with tips for staying motivated and on track.
In addition to success habits, the show covers personal development and mindset topics, such as overcoming limiting beliefs and cultivating a growth mindset. Donna and Londina share their own experiences and challenges in these areas, providing listeners with relatable examples and actionable advice.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply someone who wants to achieve more success in your personal and professional life, "Building Success Habits" offers inspiration and tools to help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.
Join Donna and Londina on this journey of self-discovery and growth, and learn how to build the success habits that will transform your life.
"When we begin to see the world from the inside out, life will happen through us instead of to us."
Donna Kunde is one of IBGR's founders and started her career in radio at WNTW on it's Sales 2020 Show. In her role as EVP Supply Management she is responsible for day-to-day station operations and the quality of programming - both show topics and OnAir Talent.
She is an internationally recognized Business Coach and Trainer bringing 20+ years’ experience in military leadership. Donna has been a serial entrepreneur for the last 25 years owning a range of businesses experiencing the unique challenges solopreneurs face with small business growth.
In addition to her entrepreneurial background, Donna brings 35 years of academic and applied cognitive and behavioral science experience to the IBGR Network. Her specialty is helping organizations navigate through change, challenge and tragedy. The combination of her intensive study of the mind, plus practical applications in human potential, Donna provides a unique perspective on leadership, personal growth, sales, communication, and team building.
A high point of Donna's training career happened when she accompanied Dr. John C. Maxwell and his team on a country transformation mission. At the request of the Costa Rican government, the Maxwell team successfully trained 15,000 Round Table facilitators in three days, resulting in a 2% transformation of that nation and projected to reach another 60,000 Costa Ricans the following week. Her trademark energetic communication style and teaching skills have earned her a reputation as a highly effective speaker and respected facilitator.
Londina Cruz is an International Trainer, Executive Coach, and Keynote Speaker with the John Maxwell Team and a Strategic Coach with Anthony Robbins. Londina is a part of Global Transformation with the John Maxwell Foundation, training thousands of leaders in Paraguay and Costa Rica to help transform the values and culture of these nations.
She has spent more than 25 years studying, coaching and consulting in personal mastery and human performance techniques. These techniques include emotional and social intelligence trainings that elevate individuals, leaders and their organizations to excel well beyond current standards – offering a dynamic competitive advantage.
Londina has taken a situation that would devastate most individuals, being hit by a drunk driver, and has turned it into her life force. In this accident, Londina sustained a traumatic head injury, broken back and broken neck. The doctors gave her little hope of a normal life. She has now turned this challenge into an extraordinary life of empowering others to turn their fears into freedom and reach their potential.
Mastering her limiting beliefs and overcoming all that doctors had told her, Londina has thrived physically as well.
She has become a Triathlete (competing in a Half-Ironman and medaling in numerous other triathlons), a two-time marathon runner (Nike Women’s in San Francisco and the Marine Corps in Washington), and a cyclist.
She has released 100 lbs. by taking control of her thoughts instead of allowing thoughts to control her.
She knows what it takes to take you and your team from where you are to where you want to be.
As a Certified Coach, Teacher and Speaker, I can offer you workshops, seminars, keynote speaking, and coaching, aiding your personal and professional growth through study and practical application of John’s proven leadership methods. Working together, I will move you and/or your team or organization in the desired direction to reach your goals.
Contact me. I am looking forward to assisting you on your journey to becoming a success in your life and/or business.