Highway Through the Comfort Zone
They call it a comfort zone for a reason.
Is it cozy? Yes.
Does it make me feel safe and in control of my environment? Absolutely.
Do I have snacks? Man, I hope so!
The comfort zone can be a place of ease, predictability, and routine. So, why in the world, would I ever want to leave the symbolic blanket fort of comfort? Truth be told, I wouldn’t. And yet, as I continue to figure out my life, I find that I enjoy a challenge. I like being discounted and proving otherwise. I find that pushing myself is actually enjoyable. The process of moving out of my comfort zone, however, is not enjoyable—but it is well worth it.
The Fear Zone
Just outside my comfort zone is the Fear Zone—as seen by this amazing picture—the term coined by Judith Bardwick. The Fear Zone is fraught with the unknown and all the “what ifs.”
“What if I fail?”
“What if it sucks?”
“What if I can’t do it?”
In the Fear Zone, I am less confident, unsure, and I get discouraged. Many times, I have turned right back around to the safety of my comfort zone. Forget Fear!—Let me sit back down (because fear sucks). I’d love to say that in my Fear, I remember that it is temporary, but sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I swing back and forth between fear and comfort. Sometimes, I stop trying. Sometimes, I go back to old patterns. This is totally normal (thank goodness), and I remind myself and give myself grace.
The Learning Zone
When I’m passionate about a goal, idea, or plan, I am able to fight through the Fear Zone, and I find myself in the Learning Zone quicker. My desire to learn expands well beyond the fear I feel. In this new phase, I have a chance to learn new information and gain new skills. I still face challenges—and they still suck—but each challenge helps me grow, learn, and understand what I am actually doing. Sometimes, I enjoy the challenge. Sometimes, I don’t realize the growth until after it occurs. Regardless, I move from the Learning Zone into the Growth Zone.
The Growth Zone
The name is a bit on the nose, the Growth Zone, but in this stage I am “doing.”
I am doing my purpose.
I’m achieving my passion.
I’m increasing my comfort in this new stage because my Comfort Zone expands with me.
In growth, I am actually leaning into what is possible. My vision for my life grows and I set new goals. I create deeper aspirations. Throughout these zones, one element is required through every zone: Courage.
Courage: The Key to Growth
This highway transports us through four zones which are both challenging and inspirational. Courage is a major key to this entire process and keeps us moving along the highway. Courage is the ability to do difficult and risky actions, even when faced with fear, danger, or uncertainty. It is not the lack of fear that makes one courageous; it is taking action even when we are scared that shows courage.
The reminder here is that your growth takes courage—the courage to take action and the courage to keep going. You have it in you to venture down this road. What is the first area that you are going to key into your personal courage to start moving from comfort to new growth?
Click the link and schedule a complimentary strategy call so we can discuss taking your courage to the next level.
Your coach,
Mai Lee
