When should you step outside your comfort zone?

Know your comfort zone

The comfort zone is a concept that denotes a state in which we feel safe and stable in the psychological dimension. It is a space where we avoid risks and do not experience stress, functioning based on a certain routine and based on skills and habits well known to us.

One of the most frequently cited definitions of the comfort zone comes from the American psychologist Judith Bardwick. In the book “Danger in the Comfort Zone”, she described it as a condition in which a person works at a low stress level and without challenges, leading to a lack of development and stagnation [1]. According to Bardwick, being in a comfort zone can be comfortable, but at the same time it inhibits our development and limits the ability to fully realize our potential.

Karl Rohnke, an educator and pioneer in the field of adventure education, looked at the comfort zone a little differently. He introduced the Comfort-Voltage-Panic model (CComfort—stretch—panic model) consisting of three zones: the comfort zone, the tension zone (elasticity) and the panic zone [2].

1. Comfort zone It is a place where we feel safe and secure. The actions taken in this zone are familiar, repetitive and do not cause anxiety or stress. It is a space that does not present us with new challenges, but at the same time does not favor development.
2. Zone of tension (elasticity) — when we leave the comfort zone, we enter a zone of tension, also called the “learning zone” (learning zone). It's an area where we learn new skills, gain experience and grow. It can be a demanding and stressful place, but this is where personal growth most often occurs.
3. Panic zone If we go too far out of our comfort zone, we can end up in a panic zone. It is a space where stress levels are paralyzing and prevent us from acting effectively. This zone is dominated by fear and anxiety, which — instead of development — can lead to regression.

Being in a comfort zone gives us a sense of security and stability. However, if we stay in it for too long, it can lead to a certain stagnation. So how do we balance growth and security?

Open yourself to change

Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung saw change as an inherent part of the process of individuation, that is, the pursuit of the full realization of one's own potential [3]. According to Jung, change is key in personality transformation — it allows us to discover and integrate unconscious aspects of our psyche. Although changes can be uncomfortable and can cause anxiety, Jung believed that it is through confronting the unknown that we can expand our consciousness and achieve a deeper understanding of our own identity.

However, instead of throwing yourself into the deep water right away and implementing many changes at once, it is worth stopping and planning your next steps well. This will give us the opportunity to “wisely” leave the comfort zone, balancing between what is new and unknown, and what is routine and safe. Learn some strategies that will help you with this.

1. Accept discomfort as part of the process

Leaving the comfort zone is always associated with a certain level of discomfort. It is worth accepting this state as a natural component of the development process. Instead of avoiding difficult emotions, try to notice them and see them as a signal that you are on the right track.

An article published in “Psychological Science” in March 2022 described studies in which students were encouraged to actively seek out discomfort [4]. It turned out that regardless of what task the subjects were given (improvisation exercises, writing about difficult emotions, searching for uncomfortable information, establishing relationships with people of opposite views), the discomfort they felt increased their commitment to the task. Researchers have pointed out that the search for discomfort motivates personal growth, however, it is necessary to remember situations in which it should be a signal to stop (for example, acute pain during exercise can signal trauma, and extreme emotional pain while writing can signal a nervous breakdown).

2. Understand your talents

Natural talents can help to effectively leave the comfort zone. A useful tool is the Gallup Talent Survey (also known as CliftonStrengths™), which identifies our innate predispositions and helps us understand why certain actions come easier and others make it difficult [5]. With this knowledge, you can consciously choose the areas in which you want to develop, according to your natural inclinations. When you work on something that aligns with your talents, you are better at dealing with challenges, and this makes it easier to gradually leave your comfort zone.

3. Discover your inner motivation

Another tool that can help you get out of your comfort zone is the Reiss Motivation Profile (RMP) [6]. With it, you will understand your inner motivation — that is, what really drives you to act. The RMP identifies 16 primary motivators, such as power, curiosity, independence or status, that shape our behaviors and decisions. Understanding what motivates you will help you choose challenges that align with your inner needs.

4. Use the method of small steps

One of the best ways to leave your comfort zone without losing your sense of security is to take on incremental challenges. In such a scheme, you can start with smaller, less stressful tasks that will gradually increase your confidence. In this way, you will smoothly move from the comfort zone — described by Karl Rohnke — to the zone of tension and learn to deal with discomfort in a controlled way. Over time, your comfort zone will expand, allowing you to take on more challenges.

5. Develop an action plan

Getting out of your comfort zone is easier when you have a clear plan and defined goals. So it's a good idea to create an action schedule that takes into account both your strengths and the areas you want to develop. This allows you to track your progress and adjust actions according to your needs. Such a plan will also help you minimize stress and increase your sense of control over the situation.

6. Find support in the environment

In the process of leaving the comfort zone, the support of close people or mentors can be invaluable. Through conversations with people who are experienced in taking on challenges, you will overcome your fears and learn to gradually expand your range of activities. However, if you feel a paralyzing fear at the thought of taking on new tasks, it may be worth consulting a psychologist. You can also do it online, without leaving your home, e.g. via MultiLife platform, which also offers access to many services and applications in the field of self-development.

When not to leave your comfort zone?

If you're wondering if you always have to choose discomfort on your way to growth, the answer is — not necessarily! It turns out that not in every situation development requires such steps. An equally important aspect of life is the acceptance of oneself, one's emotions and needs.

The comfort zone plays a key role, among others, in building healthy interpersonal relationships. When we feel safe and secure in our environment, we are more open to building deep bonds with others, and this in turn allows us to create authentic relationships, based on trust and mutual understanding.

The sense of security we find in our comfort zone is also crucial to our mental and emotional health, and — importantly — it doesn't mean a lack of ambition! Rather, it is a way to create a solid base from which we can draw the strength to make informed decisions about possibly going beyond it when we really need it.

“Mildness is associated (...) with the ability to let go,” writes Marta Niedźwiecka, “which in my opinion is the greatest and most difficult of superpowers. Letting go threatens the ego because it opens the closet door, where we hide difficult emotions and situations that we do not want to experience. However, without forgiveness and gentleness, we will not switch from the mode of action to the mode of existence that we need to be fulfilled, calm, good for others and for ourselves.”

However, if you are faced with a new challenge that you want to take on, remember that you can do it gently, in harmony with yourself and your needs. Before you decide to leave your comfort zone, ask yourself the questions: “How do I feel about this? Can I take care of my sense of security even in a stressful situation?” If you want to take advantage of additional support, you can also monitor your level of well-being on an ongoing basis using the tool Wellbeing Score. With it, you will find out what areas of life require your special attention and properly “take care” of them before you start leaving your comfort zone. You can repeat the examination every few months, constantly tracking the level of your well-being.

Search for the golden mean

The comfort zone is not a place we have to leave to succeed and find fulfillment. Equally valuable is the acceptance of ourselves, building relationships and developing psychological resilience in that area in which we feel safe. Living in a comfort zone can be a conscious choice that leads to achieving stability, peace and happiness. It is up to you how you use this space to create a reality that satisfies you.

Bibliography:

[1] Bardwick J., Danger in the Comfort Zone: From Boardroom to Mailroom, AMACOM, 1995.
[2] Nowotniak J., Pedagogical diagnosis as a form of support for students at school in the face of the effects of the pandemic, “Studies from the Theory of Education”, Volume XIII: 2022, No. 4 (41).
[3] Maurin K., Motycka A. (eds.), Jung's Phenomenon. Work, Inspiration, Contemporary, Eneteia Publishing House, 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., About Twilight. How to stop being afraid of life and live it your way, Wydawnictwo W.A.B, 2003.