Reaching outside your comfort zone, that is stretching your skills and capabilities beyond the norm can be uncomfortable.  Also though, it could be very rewarding.

Living within your boundaries is an option.  You are likely to meet all your basic needs with minimal stress and effort.  You probably won’t exceed expectations, both your own and others but you should be comfortable.

Motivation

For those that stretch themselves and drive for the exceptional there must be some motivation.  Gold medal winning athletes stretch for the top pushing themselves to exceed,

This drive to break out of the mundane starts with self motivation.  Without being able to create and internal desire to excel, given the effort required, it is unlikely you will take on the challenge.

The key to personal success is determining why you want it, how much it is worth for you and then turn that into mental motivation.   Typically in your mind the objective becomes something you must have. That is where your motivation begins.

Confidence

Desire though powerful is not enough alone to get you focused on a stretch goal.  You must believe you can do it.  Also you need a foundational belief that constantly raising the bar is the best approach.

That is, don’t sit on your laurels.  The question to ask yourself is what is the next big thing?  How can I continue to push beyond the limits?

You may believe you are happy in your comfort zone but as soon as you begin to push out of the zone you will wonder why you were every squatting there in the first place.