Comfort is great. Who doesn't love a warm blanket or a cozy sweater on a chilly night? But don't you want something more dynamic from your professional life? Taking smart risks is one of the best ways to advance your career.

Here's why people get stuck in their comfort zone and what steps you need to take to get out of yours.

It's easy.

Too often, people are on career autopilot. They get up, go to work, take care of everything on their to-do list and head home at five, only to turn around and do the same thing tomorrow. Safe, but pretty boring. You're not questioning why you're completing those tasks, if you're the right one to complete them, or even if you're in the right job. You're stuck in a rut.

Will you recognize a good opportunity if it's right in front of you, or are you just keeping your head down and plugging away through the same old job?

Maybe it's time to shake things up a little and get out of your comfort zone.

Why? Because that's where good things happen.

You feel challenged. Stretched to your professional limits (in a good way).

In Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, author Daniel H. Pink speaks about the concept of "productive discomfort." It's the idea of finding the sweet spot -- between being complacent and being so wildly uncomfortable that you are unable to focus.

Remaining in the same job performing the same tasks the same way can lead to understanding, but it can also stifle innovation. Who hasn't heard phrases like, "we've always done it this way" or "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

But leaving your comfort zone brings its benefits:

Gain Confidence

Have you ever taken on a project at work that seemed over your head? But you dug in anyway -- learned new skills, collaborated with different people, and came out stronger. That's what stepping out of your comfort zone can do for you.

Become More Resilient

The more you expose yourself to new experiences, the better you'll be able to adapt to change. When there isn't already a well-worn path, you are forced to forge a new one of your own.

Boost Productivity

Getting out of your comfort zone can help you find new and better ways to accomplish tasks and get things done. Don't be afraid of taking a new approach to mundane activities.

Foster Professional Growth

Part of getting out of your comfort zone means learning new things and opening opportunities that you may not have otherwise qualified for.

What's the best way to get out of your comfort zone?

Try something new. Volunteer for a project at work. Try public speaking. Attend a networking event. Even small steps can make your comfort zone a little bigger.

Set goals. When you complete a challenge, plan for your next one. Your last challenge is your new comfort zone. You must continue moving forward.

Confront your fears. Incremental change is the key to gradually overcoming fears that are holding you back. If you're afraid of public speaking, try making a short video about a familiar topic and posting it to LinkedIn.

Get support. A mentor, coach or even your peer group to keep you accountable, hold your hand, and even suggest new challenges to take on.

Break patterns. It may seem silly, but new neural pathways are created when you take new challenges, so change things up. Take a different route to work. Shake up your wardrobe. Try performing basic tasks with your non-dominant hand. When you're forced to think about something, you see how seldom you do.

Talk to your manager. If you let your boss know you are open to new opportunities, who knows what they might be able to offer? And if you are perceived as a go-to person, you'll improve your chances for advancement.

Say yes more than no. When presented with an opportunity, take it if you can. You might be surprised what may come up and what you can gain from it.

Say no to complacency. If you keep piling on the same old tasks, you'll leave no room for new opportunities. Also, be sure you're not being taken advantage of. Risks should come with rewards.

So, what can you do with this newfound confidence?

Apply for a job that's a bit out of reach. If a job post looks interesting, but you don't quite meet all the requirements, there's no harm in giving it a shot.

Work with a staffing company. A recruiter can tell you which qualifications are a must, and which have some wiggle room, and they can sell your candidacy to the employer so they will take a chance on you.

Grow your skills. Gaining proficiency in new skills can increase your value within the company and make you more marketable when you're ready to move on.

Investigate your options. Even if you're not ready to make a move, it never hurts to find out what jobs are open or trending.

Stay curious. Once you're open to new experiences, there is no limit to what you can do. Question why you do what you do and whether there is a better approach.

Partner with a staffing company.

If you need a little assistance getting out of your comfort zone, talk to a staffing and recruiting professional. They always know about available opportunities and can help you prepare to impress hiring managers.