STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
17 October 2024
Becoming Comfortable with Uncomfortable Situations
Change and growth are achieved through movement. The foundation for growth always lies just beyond your comfort zone. Unfortunately, that's the case. Hence, it's often challenging; you invent reasons not to do it or blame others or circumstances. The good news is that it's not as bad as it seems, and it even brings immense satisfaction afterward! Provided it's responsible, safe, and step by step. Stepping out of your comfort zone: here's how you begin.
Comfort zone, everyone understands what it means. It's where you feel at ease, safe, familiar; you don't have to do uncomfortable things or take risks. In short, it's where you're comfortable.
This zone looks different for everyone. For some, being alone and in silence is uncomfortable, while for others, it's crowds and many people around them that are challenging. Some like to stick to routines, while others find them irritating.
The comfort zone is important because it provides you with your foundation. It offers stability, a safe haven.
Stepping out of your comfort zone
But the downside of comfort is stagnation. You don't push your own boundaries. There are no expeditions to the other side of the line. Yet, everyone wants to stretch that line. Some may do it more easily than others, but we've all been experimenting since we were young. Because that brings movement, growth. Exploring your possibilities.
We call this zone the learning zone. Here, you can grow and learn, explore with your curiosity, and make new discoveries. All of this is possible because, despite the unknown and the new, you still feel safe enough. It's like you still have solid ground beneath your feet.
Experiencing in your learning zone
Experiencing is the means of growing. You cautiously step around in your learning zone. You face your fears and uncertainties; after all, you're outside your comfort zone, but you gain new insights. You feel, you experience, you're on edge, you grow. You're stimulated by curiosity and challenge.
Not too far...
If you go beyond the learning zone, you fall into panic. Learning becomes impossible; fear blocks you. You want to escape!
So, caution and professionalism are required. Don't stray too far from your comfort zone, no panic!
What's important is that these three zones are different for different situations and for each individual. We all have our own unique comfort zone - learning zone - panic zone.
Experience Beyond Your Comfort Zone
In our experiential sessions, you'll work on case studies that are relevant to your daily work situation; the experience is lifelike. For example, when emotion or tension comes into play, resistance, uncertainty about your approach is warranted, and/or refinement is needed.
You experience the difference and feel what's most effective. That's what matters. You gain further confirmation of your insights and see the path to change. Because you see the pitfalls you encounter in practice.
Discover and Grow
Challenge yourself to take the first steps outside your comfort zone, and you'll see that you'll grow and adapt to change. You'll know you can handle it, and it'll become part of your comfort zone again. This way, you'll continue to discover and grow.
Do you also want to be stimulated by curiosity and challenge? Feel free to schedule an appointment. We'd be happy to tell you more!