We all have our comfort zones. Your home. Your office. The seat in the back right on the last row at Church. A certain restaurant you always go to. The same songs over and over again you listen to in the car. The same treadmill at the gym. Might be a group of friends that has been the same since high school or college. That favorite uncle you always play golf with on Saturday morning.

Whatever it is, we need to be leaders who take risks. And step out of our comfort zones. On a regular basis. This can be incredibly big life decisions, but many times it may just be a small decisions, or a small change in our usual routine, that can provide the momentum we need to consistently Step Out of our Comfort Zones.

Reality is, most of us by nature enjoy the same old routine, the luxury of the known, the safety of the convenient. Ultimately, it takes extra effort to step out, but if we're not risking and pushing ourselves out of the normal and routine, then we can't expect others around us who we lead to do the same.

Here are a few examples to get you thinking on how you can this week step out of your comfort zone.

1. Attend a weekend service of a completely different religion than your own.

2. Visit a local homeless shelter or soup ktichen.

3. Walk somewhere instead of driving. Or ride a bike.

4. Leave the TV off for one week straight. Or at least one night.

5. Read a book and download a song that you never would have before.

6. Call an old friend and get reacquainted.

7. Ask your neighbors how you can help them.

8. Take someone to lunch from your office who you've never had a conversation with before.

9. Go fishing, hunting, camping, or hiking. The key is outside.

10. Visit your local police station and fire department and take them food.

11. Start a conversation with the person at the register at the gas station or the cleaners or somewhere else you visit frequently.

12. Write an article about your area of expertise and submit it to a local paper, magazine, or leading website.

What are other simple ideas that help you step out of your comfort zone?