Comfort Zone / Danger Zone

I’m a softie. I love comfort. I love ease. I love doing things that I’m good at.

I’ll bet you, too, enjoy the effortless simplicity associated with your comfort zones. But do you ever entertain the thought of doing something challenging? Something that pushes you, that makes you sweat? When that thought occurs, do you simply push that pesky notion out of your mind? Most of us do – because doing something challenging and new would most likely be hard. And dealing with difficulty and discomfort isn’t fun.

The problem is that none of us like the “stupid phase”. The “stupid phase” that typically accompanies any new effort or learning process is the direct opposite of the comfort zone. It’s the “discomfort zone”. The feelings of awkwardness and ineptness are enough to make you want to quit – often before you even get started.

While I love comfort and ease, I know the danger that comes with too much comfort. It’s easy to get lazy, stop growing, get in a slump, become depressed, not use your talents and abilities. It’s easy to procrastinate, to let things slide – and to miss opportunities to learn, stretch and grow.

Have your comfort zones become danger zones? Are you in danger of getting in a rut, of becoming stuck, bored – and boring? The lines of this little poem from an unknown author struck a chord with me:

I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.

Here are some tips for getting out of the jail of your comfort zone:

Remember your past successes. Make a list of some of the things you’ve accomplished that were the result of courageously moving beyond your comfort zone. There are many victories in your life experience that are the result of your willingness to experience discomfort. Tap into those memories – and use them as fuel. And then …
Focus on your future self. Who is the person you want to be? Imagine yourself as a better version of yourself and move in the direction of becoming that person.
Start with something small. Try a new food, initiate a conversation, sign up for a class, learn a new skill. Take one small step into a discomfort zone, and the more steps you take, the more comfortable it will become.
Ask for help. Find someone who will hold your hand, who will serve as a coach or guide as you venture down a new path.

And…be willing to help someone else. While your discomfort zone may be comfortable to someone else, the reverse is also true. So be ready and willing serve as a guide for an inmate who wants to escape from their jail of comfort.

Is your comfort zone a danger zone? Today is a great day to set yourself free.