In this blog I am going to explain what a comfort zone is and why it is incredibly important to expand your comfort zone to achieve your goals. Learning how to step out of your comfort zone will enable you to develop new skills, experience new things and fulfill your true potential.
The term “comfort zone” was originally coined by Alasdair White, a Business Management Theorist, in 2009. Popular definitions of what a comfort zone is often go something like this:
People feel safe and comfortable in their comfort zone. There is less risk, relatively less stress, and few nasty surprises. Sounds good right. However, there is also extraordinarily little personal growth in your comfort zone, which is why any life coach will tell you it is not a place you want to stay. People who stay in their comfort zone will stay the same and will never develop new skills, experience new things, or fulfil their true potential.
Sure, outside of your comfort zone is the unknown. True, you never know what will happen. However, outcomes may not be certain, but personal growth is. People who venture into this unknown, frightening and uncomfortable land, will most certainly change themselves for the better.
Because leaving your comfort zone is uncomfortable! Getting out of your comfort zone is difficult because the brain doesn’t like change; it craves routine and is actually hard-wired to keep you safe. Unfortunately, it is also programmed to expect the worst-case scenario and acts to protect you, which is why we think the worst thoughts and the inner voice tries to talk us out of it when we do try to push our comfort zone.
However, following the same routine every day of your life, even if you are not entirely happy, might be a recipe for steady performance, but doesn’t lead to growth or maximum performance. Another factor is that we like to minimise the risk of failure. Outside the comfort zone, the likelihood of failure is obviously increased as we do things we’re unfamiliar with. Many of us would rather succeed without personal growth than go through the negative feelings failure presents, but failure always leads to growth.
The brain is also lazy. The brain also burns lots of the body’s energy. While the brain represents just 2% of a person’s total body weight, it accounts for 20% of the body’s energy use and – your brain (and body) is going to want to conserve energy where it can and therefore it looks for the easiest route. The brain does not want extra things to do. Therefore it is easier for the brain to rely on habits and routine to get you through life. Makes sense, but the problem is the brain also does not know the difference between a good new habit and a bad old habit, so it tries to get you to do what you have always done, by encouraging you to stay inside your comfort zone.
In recent years psychologists have expanded on the concept of the comfort zone and something called Yerkes “Optimal Anxiety” theory. The brain learns best when stress levels are slightly higher than normal – a space called Optimal Anxiety, which falls somewhere between our comfort zone and the point of total freakout. Although some degree of anxiety can improve our performance on a range of tasks, severe anxiety can have the opposite effect and hinder our performance. Thus, whereas a confident and talented actor may perform optimally in front of a live audience, a novice may develop stage-fright and freeze.
Whilst it is important to explore the world outside your comfort zone, it is also necessary to do this in a way that doesn’t cause excessive anxiety and still look after your physical and mental health! You need to know what growth looks like for you. Your growth zone exists outside of your comfort zone, but is not a place of stress, on the flipside, it’s a space of opportunity. To expand your comfort zone, increase the quality of your life and enhance your self-confidence, you must keep on pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone, so it expands bit by bit. We have to venture into the unknown, to make it known.
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.”
– John Milton
Stepping out of your comfort zone and into your growth zone means identifying the opportunity and doing things that you normally do not feel comfortable with doing. Think of the long-term benefits of trying something different rather than the short-term nervousness and anxiety that it will provoke. Fight through the initial aversiveness of venturing outside and what was once uncomfortable will slowly become incorporated into your comfort zone.
Pushing your comfort zone does NOT have to be extreme, actually it shouldn’t be. You don’t have to wake up tomorrow and do a sky dive. Push yourself in unfamiliar places, eat different foods, meet different people and do other simple things that you would not normally not do. Yes, you may feel anxious and you will not know what will happen. However, as you step out your comfort zone and explore your growth zone you will experience new things, learn more and see things in a different light.
Stepping out of your comfort zone and into your growth zone means identifying the opportunity and doing things that you normally do not feel comfortable with doing. Think of the long-term benefits of trying something different rather than the short-term nervousness and anxiety that it will provoke. Fight through the initial aversiveness of venturing outside and what was once uncomfortable will slowly become incorporated into your comfort zone.
Pushing your comfort zone does NOT have to be extreme, actually it shouldn’t be. You don’t have to wake up tomorrow and do a sky dive. Push yourself in unfamiliar places, eat different foods, meet different people and do other simple things that you would not normally not do. Yes, you may feel anxious and you will not know what will happen. However, as you step out your comfort zone and explore your growth zone you will experience new things, learn more and see things in a different light.
Your comfort zone is like a muscle – keep growing and stretching it! Once you have created this new reality, you need to push yourself beyond your new comfort zone, so that your never-ending cycle of personal growth continues.
Yes, I know it can be scary, and it feels comforting to do the things we have always done. However, following the same routine every day of your life does not lead to growth and self-development!
Are you frightened of failing? Read my article Why Failure is Actually a Good Thing to see why failure is an essential part of your self-development. As Sara Blakely, multi-millionaire, founder and CEO of SPANX said, “Go ahead, make mistakes. The worst that can happen is you become memorable!”
If you are looking to grow your comfort zone and want to do this in a way that is supported, get in touch via alice@alicedartnell.com to see how my 121 coaching packages might be perfect for you!
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This article is written by Alice Dartnell, life and success coach of Alice Dartnell Limited. Alice empowers busy professionals to be successful, transform their lives and achieve more by improving their confidence, mindset and time management.
For more information please see www.alicedartnell.com
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This blog is published by Alice Dartnell Limited solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The author and publisher are not offering it as legal, accounting, health care or other professional services advice. While best efforts have been used in preparing this blog, the author and publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind and assume no liabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be held liable or responsible to any person or entity with respect to any loss or incidental or consequential damages caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained herein. Every person and company are different, and the advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. Alice Dartnell or Alice Dartnell Limited is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised in this blog. You should seek the services of a competent professional as appropriate. You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results. Always consult your own General Practitioner if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
