When should you step outside your comfort zone?

Get to know your comfort zone

Comfort zone is a concept that refers to a mental state where we feel safe and stable. It is a space where we steer clear of risks and stress, operating within familiar routines and relying on our established skills and habits.

One of the most commonly referenced definitions of the comfort zone comes from American psychologist Judith Bardwick. In her book, “Danger in the Comfort Zone”, she defined it as a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral position, which leads to stagnation and limited personal growth [1]. Bardwick suggests that while the comfort zone may feel reassuring, it simultaneously hampers growth and restricts us from achieving our full potential.

Karl Rohnke, an educator and pioneer in the field of adventure education, offered a slightly different perspective on the concept of the comfort zone. Rohnke proposed the Comfort-Stretch-Panic model consisting of three zones: the comfort zone, the stretch zone, and the panic zone [2].

1. Comfort zone – a place where we feel confident and safe. Activities undertaken within this zone are routine, predictable, and free from anxiety or stress. It is an area that presents no new challenges but, at the same time, offers no stimulus for personal growth.
2. Stretch zone – after leaving the comfort zone, we enter the stretch zone, also referred to as the “learning zone”. It is a realm where we acquire new skills, gain experience, and grow. Although it can be challenging and stressful, this is the environment where personal growth most frequently happens.
3. Panic zone – venturing too far beyond the comfort zone can lead us into the panic zone. It is a space where the level of stress is overwhelming and hinders us from taking effective action. The panic zone is dominated by fear and anxiety, which – instead of development – can lead to regression.

Staying within the comfort zone fosters a sense of security and stability. However, lingering in the comfort zone for too long can result in stagnation. So, how can you strike a balance between personal growth and maintaining a sense of security?

Be open to changes

Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung saw change as an integral part of the individuation process, or the journey towards realizing one’s full potential [3]. According to Jung, change plays a key role in the transformation of personality, as it enables us to uncover and integrate the unconscious parts of our psyche. While change may bring discomfort and cause anxiety, Jung believed that facing the unknown is crucial for expanding our consciousness and self-discovery.

However, instead of diving in headfirst and making multiple changes to your life all at once, it is a good idea to pause and carefully plan your next steps. This approach provides an opportunity to step outside the comfort zone in a “mindful” manner, striking a balance between the unfamiliar and the familiar. Here are a few ways to assist you in achieving that objective.

1. Embrace discomfort as a natural part of the journey

Leaving your comfort zone always brings a degree of discomfort. However, it is beneficial to accept this state as an inherent part of personal growth. Rather than shying away from difficult emotions, acknowledge them and view them as indicators that you are on the right track. 

A study detailed in an article published in “Psychological Science” in March 2022 encouraged students to actively pursue discomfort [4]. It was found that, irrespective of the task assigned to the respondents (improvisation exercises, writing about challenging emotions, seeking uncomfortable information, or building relationships with people holding opposing views), the discomfort they experienced heightened their engagement in the task. Researchers highlighted that while seeking discomfort can motivate personal growth, it is important to recognize situations where it should serve as a warning sign to stop. For example, sharp pain felt during exercise could indicate an injury, and intense emotional distress while writing might signal a mental health crisis. 

2. Recognize your talents

Your innate talents can be a valuable asset when venturing outside the comfort zone. A useful tool is the Gallup Talent Survey (or CliftonStrengths™) which identifies your innate talents and helps you understand why you excel at certain tasks while struggling with others [5]. With this understanding, you can intentionally select the areas for growth that align with your natural inclinations. Engaging in tasks that match your talents improves your ability to handle challenges, making it easier to gradually get out of your comfort zone.

3. Discover your intrinsic motivation

Another tool that can support you in leaving your comfort zone is the Reiss Motivation Profile (RMP) [6]. It can help you understand your intrinsic motivation – that is, what truly inspires you to take action. The RMP pinpoints 16 fundamental motivators – including power, curiosity, independence, and status – which influence people’s behaviors and decisions. Understanding your motivations will guide you in selecting challenges that resonate with your personal aspirations. 

4. Follow the baby steps method

A great way to step out of your comfort zone while maintaining a sense of security is by taking on challenges gradually. With this approach, you can begin with smaller and less demanding tasks that will steadily build your confidence. This way, you will smoothly transition from your comfort zone to the stretch zone, as Karl Rohnke described it, learning to manage discomfort in a controlled manner. As time goes by, your comfort zone will grow, enabling you to tackle new challenges.

5. Prepare an action plan

Venturing beyond your comfort zone is easier when you have a clear plan and well-defined goals. Therefore, it is a good idea to design a schedule incorporating both your strengths and the areas you want to improve. This allows you to track your progress and make adjustments to your actions as necessary. Having an action plan in place also helps to reduce stress and increase your sense of control over the situation.

6. Seek encouragement from your loved ones

The support of loved ones or mentors can be immensely helpful when stepping outside your comfort zone. Talking to people who have experience in facing challenges will help you conquer your fears and gradually broaden your range of activities. However, if the idea of tackling new tasks fills you with overwhelming fear, it might be a good idea to seek advice from a psychologist. You can also do it online, from the comfort of your home, for example, via the MultiLife platform, which provides access to various self-development services and apps.

When is it better not to leave your comfort zone?

If you are wondering whether discomfort is always a necessary part of growth, the answer is – not necessarily! It turns out that personal development does not always require taking such steps. Equally important in life is accepting yourself, and your emotions and needs.

The comfort zone plays a key role in some aspects of life, such as the development of healthy interpersonal relationships. When you feel safe and confident in your surroundings, you are more likely to forge deep connections with others, leading to genuine relationships founded on trust and mutual understanding.

Feeling secure in your comfort zone is also essential for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Importantly, however, this does not imply a lack of ambition! Rather, it is a way to build a solid foundation that empowers you to make well-informed choices about venturing outside your comfort zone when it is really necessary.

“Gentleness is associated (...) with the ability to let go” – writes Marta Niedźwiecka – “In my view, this is the greatest and most challenging of superpowers. Letting go threatens the ego because it forces us to confront the hidden emotions and experiences we try to avoid. But without letting go and embracing gentleness, we cannot shift from the mode of acting to the mode of being, which is essential for our fulfillment, peace, and positive impact on ourselves and others” [7].

Still, when you encounter a new challenge you wish to tackle, keep in mind that you can approach it gently, staying in tune with yourself and your needs. Before you decide to leave your comfort zone, ask yourself the following questions: “How do I feel about it? Am I able to maintain a sense of security even in a stressful situation?” For continued additional support, you can also monitor your wellbeing level using the tool called the Wellbeing Score. It will help you identify which areas of your life need your special attention, allowing you to address them effectively before you begin to get out of your comfort zone. You can retake the test every few months to monitor your wellbeing on an ongoing basis.

Seek the balance point

The comfort zone is not something you necessarily have to abandon to achieve success and fulfillment. Self-acceptance, building relationships, and developing mental resilience within your comfort zone are equally important. Staying within the comfort zone can be a deliberate choice that brings stability, peace, and happiness. How you utilize this space to build a fulfilling reality is entirely up to you.

_References:

_{[1] Bardwick J., Danger in the Comfort Zone: From Boardroom to Mailroom, AMACOM, 1995.} 

_{[2] Nowotniak J., Diagnoza pedagogiczna jak forma wsparcia uczniów w szkole w obliczu skutków pandemii, „Studia z teorii wychowania”, tom XIII: 2022, nr 4(41).}

_{[3] Maurin K., Motycka A. (red.), Fenomen Junga. Dzieło, inspiracje, współczesność, Wydawnictwo Eneteia, 2002.}

_{[4] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976211044685} 

_{[5] https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx}

_{[6] https://www.reissprofile.pl/}

_{[7] Niedźwiecka M., O zmierzchu. Jak przestać bać się życia i przeżyć je po swojemu, Wydawnictwo W.A.B, 2003.}