When should you step outside your comfort zone?

Get to know your comfort zone

The comfort zone is a state in which we feel mentally safe and stable. It is a space where we avoid risk and do not experience stress, functioning based on a routine and relying on well-known skills and habits.

One of the most frequently cited definitions of the comfort zone comes from American psychologist Judith Bardwick. In her book "Danger in the Comfort Zone," she defined it as a state where a person operates at a low-stress level without challenges, which leads to a lack of growth and stagnation [1]. According to Bardwick, staying in the comfort zone may be convenient, but it simultaneously hinders our growth and limits our ability to reach our full potential.

Karl Rohnke, an educator and pioneer in the field of adventure education, viewed the comfort zone somewhat differently. He introduced the Comfort-Stretch-Panic model (Comfort–Stretch–Panic model) consisting of three zones: the comfort zone, the stretch zone, and the panic zone [2].

1. Comfort zone – this is a place where we feel confident and secure. Actions taken in this zone are familiar, repetitive, and do not trigger anxiety or stress. It is a space that does not present us with new challenges, but at the same time, it does not foster growth.
2. Stretch zone – when we leave the comfort zone, we enter the stretch zone, also known as the "learning zone" (learning zone). This is an area where we learn new skills, gain experience, and grow. It can be demanding and stressful, but this is precisely where personal development most often occurs.
3. Panic zone – if we step too far outside our comfort zone, we may end up in the panic zone. This is a space where stress levels are paralyzing and prevent us from acting effectively. In this zone, fear and anxiety dominate, which—instead of leading to growth—can lead to regression.

Staying in your comfort zone provides a sense of security and stability. However, remaining there for too long can lead to stagnation. So, how do you strike a balance between growth and a sense of security?

Embrace change

Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung viewed change as an inherent part of the process of individuation—the pursuit of fully realizing one's potential [3]. According to Jung, change is crucial to personality transformation; it allows us to discover and integrate the unconscious aspects of our psyche. Although change can be uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing, Jung believed that it is precisely through confronting the unknown that we can expand our consciousness and achieve a deeper understanding of our own identity.

However, instead of diving into the deep end and making many changes at once, it is worth pausing to plan your next steps carefully. This gives you the chance to leave your comfort zone "wisely," balancing the new and unknown with the routine and secure. Here are a few strategies to help you do just that.

1. Accept discomfort as part of the process

Leaving your comfort zone always involves a certain level of discomfort. It is worth accepting this state as a natural part of the growth process. Instead of avoiding difficult emotions, try to notice them and view them as a sign that you are on the right track. 

An article published in *Psychological Science* in March 2022 described a study in which students were encouraged to actively seek out discomfort [4]. It turned out that regardless of the task assigned to the participants (improvisation exercises, writing about difficult emotions, seeking out uncomfortable information, or engaging with people holding opposing views), the discomfort they felt increased their engagement in the task. The researchers noted that seeking discomfort motivates personal growth, but one must be mindful of situations where it should be a signal to stop (e.g., sharp pain during exercise may signal an injury, while extreme emotional pain during writing may signal a nervous breakdown). 

2. Understand your talents

Your natural talents can help you leave your comfort zone effectively. A useful tool is the Gallup talent assessment (also known as CliftonStrengths™), which identifies our innate predispositions and helps us understand why certain tasks come easily to us while others are difficult [5]. With this knowledge, you can consciously choose the areas in which you want to grow, in alignment with your natural inclinations. When you work on something that aligns with your talents, you handle challenges better, which makes it easier to gradually step out of your comfort zone.

3. Discover your intrinsic motivation

Another tool that can support you in stepping out of your comfort zone is the Reiss Motivation Profile (RMP) [6]. It will help you understand your intrinsic motivation – that is, what truly drives you to take action. The RMP identifies 16 basic motivators, such as power, curiosity, independence, or status, which shape our behaviors and decisions. Understanding what motivates you will help you choose challenges that align with your inner needs. 

4. Use the small steps method

One of the best ways to leave your comfort zone without losing your sense of security is to take on gradual challenges. In this framework, you can start with smaller, less stressful tasks that will gradually increase your self-confidence. This way, you will smoothly transition from the comfort zone—as described by Karl Rohnke—to the stretch zone, learning to manage discomfort in a controlled manner. Over time, your comfort zone will expand, allowing you to take on further challenges.

5. Develop an action plan

Stepping outside your comfort zone is easier when you have a clear plan and defined goals. It is worth creating 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 your actions as needed. Such a plan will also help you minimize stress and increase your sense of control over the situation.

6. Find support in your environment

When stepping out of your comfort zone, the support of loved ones or mentors can be invaluable. Talking to people who have experience in taking on challenges will help you overcome your fears and learn to gradually expand your horizons. However, if the thought of taking on new tasks leaves you feeling paralyzed, it might be worth consulting a psychologist. You can do this online, from the comfort of your home, for example via the MultiLife platform, which also offers access to a wide range of self-development services and apps.

When should you stay in your comfort zone?

If you are wondering whether you always have to choose discomfort on the path to growth, the answer is not necessarily! It turns out that growth does not require such steps in every situation. Accepting yourself, your emotions, and your needs is an equally important aspect of life.

The comfort zone plays a key role in, among other things, 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 within our comfort zone is also crucial for our mental and emotional health, and—importantly—this does not mean a lack of ambition! Rather, it is a way to create a solid foundation from which we can draw the strength to make conscious decisions about stepping outside of it when we truly need to.

"Gentleness is linked (...) to 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 have hidden difficult emotions and situations we do not want to experience. However, without letting go and gentleness, we cannot switch from 'doing' mode to 'being' mode, which we need to be fulfilled, calm, and good to others and ourselves" [7].

If you are facing a new challenge 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: "How do I feel about this? Can I look after my sense of security even in a stressful situation?" If you would like additional support, you can also monitor your well-being levels on an ongoing basis using the Wellbeing Scoretool. It will help you identify which areas of your life require your special attention so you can "take care" of them before you start stepping out of your comfort zone. You can repeat the assessment every few months to track your well-being levels over time.

Find the golden mean

The comfort zone is not a place we must leave to achieve success and find fulfillment. Accepting yourself, building relationships, and developing mental resilience within the space where you feel safe are equally valuable. Living in your comfort zone can be a conscious choice that leads to 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 student support in schools in the face of the pandemic's effects, "Studia z teorii wychowania", Vol. XIII: 2022, No. 4(41).
[3] Maurin K., Motycka A. (eds.), The Jung Phenomenon: Work, Inspirations, Contemporaneity, Eneteia Publishing, 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., At Dusk. How to stop fearing life and live it on your own terms, W.A.B. Publishing, 2003.