Recently, I was watching a video where Bill Eckstrom, an author & a speaker, was insisting to the audience that how being in a comfort zone can ruin your life.
Lately, I read an article on the medium by another renowned author and that just doesn’t have the same tone. He insisted that leaving a comfort zone is really a bad choice one can make.
Now, which one do you believe? I definitely got stuck with these 2 statements as both sound right to me and perhaps to you too as well.
Most people argue that breaking out of your comfort zone means you’re entering a growth zone, however, for some people comfort zone is itself a place where the magic happens, it’s a place of safety & security.
Comfort Zone Is a Magical Place
What’s the comfort zone? Well, whatever you’re not even thinking about changing right now, it means you are in the circle of your comfort zone, and more precisely it’s your daily ‘life’.
As per the proper definition, it is behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance.
It feels good & relaxed to be in a comfort zone where you have everything in control. In your zone, you have everything you need – family, friends, work, music, books, movies, bike, gym, park, you name it. The zone has everything you love. The comfort zone can be considered one of our basic needs as human beings.
Our comfort zone defines our daily habits in life that are just too comfortable and we don’t want to leave them as it makes life easy and placid. Your current needs are met here.
There’s a belief that being in a state of relief isn’t actually a bad thing, one can grow even in the comfort circle even if it is on a slow road. You don’t have to push hard onto yourself to be able to grab new challenges and opportunities. One can have it while living a comfortable life.
After all, in your safe zone, you don’t feel much anxiety and stress and can live your life happily. Also, you don’t have to deal with unpleasant surprises often.
Growth Only Occurs in a State of Discomfort
Things start taking crazy turns when you leave that circle and step out of it. That’s when you enter the “scary zone”, a world with new challenges but further opportunities & endless possibilities. It leads to new experiences, improved ways of happiness, sometimes anxiety & risks, and satisfaction with what you do & learn.
Stepping out of that circle might be necessary for you to grow, explore, to recognize your own capabilities, as claimed by some motivational speakers and authors.
And honestly, this is a universal fact – ‘to get something you have to do something.’
But the human brain doesn’t like to change easily, right? It is because as things change, your brain has to ramp up with good stress. So it tries to make you feel lazy and wired you to expect the worst-case scenario. And interestingly, this is exactly what happens when you start something new.
We, humans, are beings of habits. We choose to find comfort in every possible situation we are currently in. Despite being lazy we adore the adventure of finding something more, something new that is missing in our present. But that feeling and dynamism are naturally accompanied by fear, vulnerability, and uncertainties.
The time you get over these vulnerabilities you realize that there is so much potential you have that you just never tap into.
Simply put – There is no comfort in growth and there is no growth in comfort. So, it’s up to you which way you want to go.
But Why Do We Need a Change If Everything is Going Well?
The best answer to this question can simply be – ‘because of the pursuit of worthwhile.’ The more you understand your capabilities, the more you can deal with life uncertainties. Some things are not in your control, but if you already know how to deal with them, they will do you no harm.
The euphoria you have now might not last forever. While you are in comfort you are putting little to no effort into your daily activities because you are used to it, and there’s pretty much no mental resistance in the way of doing that thing.
Let me set an example here – for a lot of people driving to work, home, and anywhere is in their comfort zone and simply easy to do. Now, how about going for a run instead? It’s more physically strenuous, and it makes you lose your breath. Here the brain will put this outside of your comfort zone and there will be more mental resistance to it. However, obviously, running is good for you.
Running seems hard at first, but when you get used to it, you’ll find that your mental energy has now increased, your outlook on life is better, and you are more optimistic.
There’s also a very intriguing possibility that when you do certain things again & again every day, it develops a sense of routine work as the only work to do in life. Every time you cross the day, it comes around again the same way with all the default activities. And then, you may ask the question – Why does every day feel the same?
Living in this comfort you continue to do what you have always done. But, over time you notice it is not what you want.
Here’s What You Can Do Instead
It’s true that in order to grow you have to find new possibilities. But, there’s one thing that plays a vital role in deciding whether you want to leave your comfort zone is ‘purpose’. If you’re just randomly making yourself uncomfortable, sure, you might grow, but you’re likely to give up or go back to a deeper state of order/comfort than you were before.
But getting yourself into discomfort because of something that actually matters to you, then you’ll push through it. In Nietzsche’s words, “He who was a why can bear almost any how”.
You don’t have to be in discomfort all the time and in all stages of your life. It’s ok to feel comfortable and safe in some, and it’s ok if you are so uncomfortable that you have to take a step back and feel comfortable so you can try again.
Don’t Leave Your Comfort Zone, ‘Expand it’
Most people also believe in expanding their comfort zone, for some people, it comes naturally with the privileges they are already born into. But those who seek stability in life and want to grow have to expand their comfort boundaries by doing things that are new to them.
It is generally said, that when you master that new skill or action, it eventually becomes part of your comfort zone.
You may want to have the largest comfort zone possible – because the larger it is, the more masterful you feel in more areas of your life. But if the same can be done without leaving the comfort zone still remains a question.
What do I think?
There are many arguments that can be made on why or why not you should be out of your comfort zone. For me, I believe that you need both order and disorder. Comfort and discomfort. Too much of either is bad. Moderation in everything can be good practice here.
If you want to break through any resistance which is holding you back from your own potential and what could be – then you want to, at least sometimes.
Because things will change over and over again. If you want to survive, you need to learn how to adapt to the changes that are happening surrounding you. Otherwise, not only you will be left behind. You will also find things will be difficult for you as it no longer works in the same way that you are used to.
Also, research says, that brains benefit from new exercises. New challenges are a great way to keep your brain young and healthy.
But also don’t push too hard on yourself. You have to learn to create a good balance. But don’t have to be uncomfortable all the time.
Live the life you want to live.
what’s your thought about this?
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June 5, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Wonderful post, Ritish. I love your line, “There is no comfort in growth and there is no growth in comfort.” So true! Thanks for the information and inspiration!
June 5, 2022 at 8:35 pm
Glad you liked it, Wynne. There’s definitely no comfort when you try things for the self-growth.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
June 5, 2022 at 7:57 pm
Wow, Ritish! A very well-written and insightful post.The advice is practical and helpful. I especially like the “target” illustration.
June 5, 2022 at 8:38 pm
Thanks Cheryl. Gald you liked the article and the illustration.
Firstly be in the learning zone and then expand the comfort zone, that’s what I believe.
Have a wonderful day!
June 5, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Such a nice and useful post 👍
Just when I was thinking about the same … Whether it will be good for me to leave my comfort zone or not 😊
Thanks for this insightful post and elaborating in a such a simple way 🙏
June 5, 2022 at 8:43 pm
Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you can relate to this.
I hope you’ll be able to expand your comfort zone and realize your potentials. 🙌
Have a wonderful day!
June 5, 2022 at 11:19 pm
U too have a wonderful day!! 😊
Thanks again for this 🙏
June 6, 2022 at 9:55 am
My Pleasure 🙌
June 5, 2022 at 8:26 pm
Change in life begins with every breath.
The purpose of breathing is to be able to survive anywhere in the world.
Whoever asks why cannot endure the mystery of life.
The discomfort, the suffering, the need, the imperfection is just as much a part of life as everything else.
We need things so that we can nourish ourselves in the body-soul unity.
What is changing is life itself, in the bud from birth to the end.
The only fact is death.
June 5, 2022 at 9:09 pm
It is such a beautiful thoughts hgamma.
Nothing stays the same ever on this planet. It keeps on changing.
Life is all about evolving. The only fact is the ‘end’ as you said.
Thanks for reading and sharing such a beautiful thoughts on this. Much appreciated 🙌
June 7, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Comment to::
Lisa at Micro of the Macro
The reality of the soul surpasses every miracle, every mystery.
Understanding means responding to what the soul has to say to us in the dream.
Consciousness should not exaggerate itself.
With every breath you take, you can be amazed that you have the gift of life from your mother.
The animals do not care what and how a human being perceives as happiness for himself.
With a spell, with the hope of a miracle, I won’t be undefiled with my guilt. Everything I’ve done wrong can never be undone. Einstein and his followers have not discovered the reality of life, of the soul, to this day.
The universe, the cosmos is too cold for human survival. If we follow the determination of life, the guidance through the dream that the soul sends us, we will practice humility in everyday actions through its daily training.
The way promises a lot, we have to be content with the simple.
We dam up over the big and don’t notice how small we are, because we want to exceed reality, the gravity of the soul in our world of thoughts, with exaggerations.
We don’t need to improve our thinking, our mood. We must dare to approach our shadow work.
Life is and remains a mystery to us, one shouldn’t have to be surprised about that. Living life, the destiny to be human is given to us.
The missing premise is that of the belief that we are all of indivisible human dignity.
June 5, 2022 at 9:53 pm
👌🏻❤
June 5, 2022 at 10:36 pm
Thanks for reading ✌️
June 6, 2022 at 2:54 am
I love the idea of expanding your comfort zone. For some people, stepping outside their comfort zone to do something completely different can create a lot of anxiety. But, we can all take small steps toward growth to expand our comfort zone. A very thoughtful post, Ritish.
June 6, 2022 at 9:58 am
Yes Michelle, one step at a time-one day at a time. Only that we can expand our comfort zone without much anxiety and fear of failure.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
June 6, 2022 at 6:20 am
My browser is fighting me again today and will not allow me “like” this post (sigh). I did though enjoy it. 🙂
June 6, 2022 at 9:59 am
Never Mind. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Have a lovely day!
June 6, 2022 at 6:49 pm
Such a great post Ritish with such good points. Not only is it good, it’s vital to build character, trust your next steps and catapult you forward. While it’s safe and familiar to stay in your box it truly expands your vision to move forward in life. Love the post! 💖💖💖
June 7, 2022 at 9:59 am
Isn’t it good to build a character in a learning zone rather than put yoursel out of your own capabilities overexcitedly?
Take one step a time and see yourself grow and expanding your comfort zone for the betterment.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated. ‘🙌
June 7, 2022 at 10:29 am
Point well taken and so good Ritisgh.
One step at a time is always a good idea!
You’re so welcome! Happy to be here always!💖💖💖
June 7, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Happy to have you here always! ❤
June 7, 2022 at 11:16 pm
💖💖
June 6, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Fantastic post, Ritish! You & I were on very similar wavelengths with our most recent posts! Funny how that happens sometimes. Your illustration of the 3 zones of comfort, learning, & danger is used in a rock climbing clinic I took recently called the Warrior’s Way. It’s all about regularly taking smaller steps outside of the comfort circle and into the learning circle to actually expand your comfort zone. This is in opposition to taking a huge risk that puts you in the danger circle, and could result in your comfort zone shrinking a bit. Super important ideas while climbing, and for life in general! 🌞
June 7, 2022 at 10:08 am
I love that illiustration too. No matter how comfortable you are in your life, no matter how good your situation is, there is always more room for improvement or doing something new. But also one must not take the huge jump that may put them in the danger zone.
So, always be on leanring. After all, we all are student throughout our life.
Thanks Lisa for reading and sharing your thoughts. 🙌
June 7, 2022 at 1:40 pm
Thank you Ritish for this highly interesting post! So, let’s go on learning new things!
June 7, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Thanks Martina.
Sure thinng. Learning never ends.
June 8, 2022 at 12:31 am
Ritish has written this post to take revenge from his college professors who loaded him with lots of assignments, viva, sessional tests, and yearly/semester exams.🤣🤣
June 8, 2022 at 3:24 pm
You can interpret it, if you want. 😁
Though, those vivas & tests are long gone and I miss them.
June 8, 2022 at 3:32 pm
This post is interesting.
I do believe it’s not compulsory to come out of your comfort zone. And I never built my comfort zone that much strong that I cannot breathe through it.
Friendly environment automatically opens up a person. Sometimes, It may take more time. But it works.
What you’re studying nowadays (college)?
June 8, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Thanks Lokesh for sharing your thoughts on this.
And definitely, it works. I respect your thoughts on not necessarily getting out of the comfort zone, but, instead expanding it timely might be a good option.
(I think everyone’s studying, everyone’s learning throughout the life)
June 8, 2022 at 1:29 am
I think the Goldilocks Zone is definitely in order for things like this. Challenging oneself is important. Things are always changing, so we can’t remain the same forever either. But one can’t shake oneself up constantly and never have stability. So something in the middle sounds perfect! Great research and topic. Thanks!
June 8, 2022 at 3:22 pm
yes, Seliza. Everything in moderation including moderation. We all need to apply ‘just the right amount’ concept.
It’s good to get out of the comfort zone, but not too overexcitedly go far beyond it, where there’s no returning back.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Have an awseome day!
June 10, 2022 at 9:06 pm
“Don’t Leave Your Comfort Zone, ‘Expand It’” . . . the modus operandi that has worked best for this ole Ragamuffin over the past 8 decades . . . Thanks Ritish
My ultimate comfort zone lies in the assurance that someday I will forever experience the quintessential comfort zone with my Savior and all who know Him in Glory.
June 11, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Thanks Fred D. I hope you’ll definitely experience the ultimate comfort zone you’re looking for. Beautiful thoughts you’ve shared. Much appreciated.
June 11, 2022 at 10:46 pm
Great study of the subject, solid conclusions. Good job!
June 14, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Thanks Ana. I appreciate your kind words. I guess, you too have same thoughts regarding getting out of comfort zone.
June 14, 2022 at 11:38 pm
Hahaha!! Good one! Have a great day, brother.
June 15, 2022 at 6:51 am
You too 🙌
June 14, 2022 at 5:35 pm
it is only through new, upending experiences that we learn. Get out there!!!
June 14, 2022 at 10:01 pm
Rightly said. New experience brings great clarity of vision and understanding.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this ❤️
June 26, 2022 at 2:35 pm
Bonjour
Comme certains d’entre vous l’ont vu sur mon dernier écris
Je mets mon blog en pause
Cela ne signifie pas ne plus écrire
Mais un bon moments de repos ne fais pas de mal à personne
Je passerai de temps en temps lire ceux qui voudront me laisser quelque chose
En attendant je te souhaite tout le bonheur possible , de bonnes vacances , santé
Ben oui parfois il faut savoir un peu arrêter
J’ai vécu ici des rencontres exceptionnelles
J’en sors bouleverser
Bise avec toute mon amitié
Bernard
https://i.postimg.cc/rsbGZ3sz/image-25.jpg
June 26, 2022 at 6:11 pm
Salut! Parfois, il est bon de faire une pause. J’espère que vous apprécierez votre temps libre. Faites des choses que vous voulez faire. Vivez votre vie comme vous le souhaitez.
Merci pour les voeux. Je vous souhaite la même.
Bonne journée
June 6, 2022 at 9:56 am
Thanks! Hope you enjoyed it.