How to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Enter Your ‘Growth Zone’

There are plenty of chances to challenge oneself in life, but seizing them can be challenging.

The difficulty may be that you aren't aware that there are good reasons to act. Why, after all, would we choose to forego the satisfaction that comes from knowing our fundamental needs have been met?

Rather than a lack of specific knowledge, one's mindset is usually the limiting factor.

This essay explores the mental adjustments essential for leaving familiar territory in pursuit of development. We'll go through some strategies and provide concrete examples to make your first steps outside your comfort zone more manageable and ultimately more gratifying.

Please feel free to take advantage of the free download of our three Goal Achievement Exercises before proceeding. The purpose of these in-depth, science-based exercises is to assist you or your clients set attainable objectives and learn effective methods for bringing about permanent behaviour change.

What Is the Comfort Zone in Psychology?

The idea of 'leaving one's comfort zone' became popular in the 1990s and has since been ingrained in public discourse. "Comfort zone" was first used by management consultant and author Judith Bardwick in her 1991 book of the same name.

When people are content with their current level of performance, they have little motivation to improve in any way. Here, individuals go about their days without taking any risks, which eventually leads to a stagnation of development.

However, the roots of the idea can be found in the field of behavioural psychology.

One of the earliest investigations to show a connection between worry and performance was carried out by Robert Yerkes and John Dodson in 1907.

They discovered that mice were more motivated to finish mazes after receiving progressively stronger electric shocks. When the pressure was too great, they retreated instead of delivering.

Similar actions are exhibited by humans. This makes sense, as the three possible responses to anxiety-inducing stimuli are to "fight" the stimulus, "flight" it, or "freeze" in its tracks.

Not only does the Yerkes-Dodson Law (Yerkes & Dodson, 1907) hold true for more concrete sorts of performance, like being assigned a challenging new task at work, but also for many life areas, like knowing oneself, having meaningful relationships, and so on

The core concept is that there is a "Goldilocks zone" of arousal in each of our neurological systems. If you don't push yourself, you'll stay in your safe zone and eventually get bored of it. But entering the 'panic' zone also slows progress, so it's important to strike a balance.

“The comfort zone is a 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, usually without a sense of risk.”

From Comfort Zone to the Growth Zone

Fear doesn't always mean you're in the panic zone when you force yourself out of your comfort zone. As the following figure illustrates, overcoming one's fears is often an integral part of reaching the growth and development sweet spots:

Leaving one's safe space and venturing into the unknown requires bravery. There can be no improvement upon prior efforts in the absence of a well-defined course of action. This can make some people anxious. But if you stick it out long enough, you'll enter the "learning zone," where you'll pick up new abilities and find creative solutions to problems.

After a period of training, a new buffer zone is established, allowing for increased growth and development. To be in this sweet spot is to be in the sweet spot of progress.

Entering the development zone, like other attempts to alter one's behaviour, is more challenging if one lacks self-awareness. As a result, clients may benefit from thinking about the following:

How large are their protection zones, exactly?

Everyone has different-sized comfort zones across the board. If you want to venture outside of your safety net, you have to learn to value its edges. In a similar vein, you need to learn to recognise the signs of impending panic and act accordingly. The best way to improve is to challenge yourself by taking on tasks that fall just outside of your comfort zone.

What do they excel at, exactly?

Recognising one's own qualities and working to develop them can be quite beneficial. Most people have ventured beyond of their comfort zones at least once, and the experience usually yields a wealth of new understandings.

Moving from a safe place to one where you may thrive may not be a straight line. Inevitably, there will be ups and downs along the way. In order to regain the strength to leave our safe spaces, we may need to visit them on a regular basis. Nonetheless, acknowledging the procedures can aid in coping with ambiguity.

Being in one's comfort zone can make one feel secure, in charge, and as like everything is running smoothly. All systems are go.

But even in calm seas, the best sailors aren't always born.

In the next part, we'll discuss some of the many advantages of venturing outside of your usual routine.

Benefits of Leaving the Comfort Zone: 4 Examples

The benefits of venturing beyond of one's comfort zone extend far beyond mere performance enhancement. A comprehensive catalogue would demand its own essay; instead, I will provide only four representative illustrations.

1. Self-actualization

The pursuit of self-actualization is a potent driving force for many people. Abraham Maslow's (1943) theory of human motivation popularised the idea with the following statement: "What a man can be, he must be. Self-actualization is one possible term for this desire.

When our 'basic' and 'psychological' requirements are met, as in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, we are in a state of relative ease, or the comfort zone. But according to the philosophy, the next thing we need is to develop ourselves and find meaning in life.

Attempts at self-actualization can be likened to the decision to step beyond of one's comfort zone, provided that the move is consistent with the individual's ideals. Why does this matter? If you don't try to improve yourself, you could end up stuck in a rut.

2. Development of a growth mindset

Carol Dweck, a psychologist from Stanford, shifted the paradigm in the study of positive psychology with her research on mindsets in 2008. Her study differentiated between two competing worldviews, the "fixed" and "growth" mindsets.

Individuals who hold a fixed mindset consider their innate talents and potential to be finite. An individual's self-worth can be fatally damaged by both failure and criticism.

To have a development mindset is to acknowledge that people can change. With this outlook, failures can be viewed as lessons (Dweck, 1999), and our capabilities can be expanded indefinitely.

Creating a growth mindset requires stepping out of one's usual routine on purpose. A fixed perspective limits what’s possible because of an unhealthy preoccupation with success. It motivates us to expand our knowledge and try new things, which improves our quality of life in many ways.

3. Resilience and antifragility

Life isn't a sure thing, so maybe people shouldn't expect it to be. Everyone experiences hardship at some point in their life. Extending one's comfort zone regularly helps one become more resilient in the face of uncertainty and change.

To expand on this idea, statistician Nassim Taleb (2012) proposed 'antifragile' systems, which "thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, randomness, disorder, and stressors." Evolution, immune systems, and the human mind are only a few examples.

While resilient systems remain stable after experiencing a shock, antifragile ones actually improve as a result of it. Therefore, intentionally stretching one's boundaries is a means of developing antifragility, so long as one avoids entering the panic zone.

4. Greater self-efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to a person's confidence that they are capable of carrying out the steps required to achieve a desired outcome (Bandura, 1997). Specific, manageable, and time-bound goals are associated with greater self-efficacy (Yailagh, Lloyd, & Walsh, 2009).

Attempting something new always involves a period of trial and error, during which you are guaranteed to achieve some measure of success. Our confidence in ourselves and our abilities grows as a result of these victories.

This, like many positive outcomes associated with stretching one's comfort zone, is unlikely to occur instantly. Any person can benefit greatly from a steady increase in their level of success and self-assurance.

4 Tips to Support Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Here are four ways to help your clients break out of their routines and into new experiences. Both theoretical and applied advice is included to help you achieve your objectives.

1. Reframe stress

Anxiety and exhilaration are physiologically identical (Smith, Bradley, & Lang, 2005). Both cause what is known as a'stress reaction,' but how those responses are labelled determines whether they are seen as beneficial or harmful.

The concept of eustress or "positive stress" challenges the common perception that all stress is negative. The positive feelings brought on by eustress help people complete challenging tasks like giving presentations or going on dates. These annoyances might be reframed as challenges that force us out of our usual routines.

2. Understand neuroplasticity

Acceptance of neuroplasticity research is a crucial step towards adopting a growth mindset. When you realise that you're supposed to be uncomfortable in order to grow, you'll have less trouble mustering the bravery to take that initial step out of your safety zone.

The concept of human malleability and adaptability is central to Dweck's philosophy. This TED talk of hers is another great introduction to her philosophy:

3. Prioritize

Staying in a familiar environment isn't always a bad thing. It could be understandable to stick to what you know, such as playing the ukulele, but not your financial management routine.

The goal is to pinpoint slow spots, or places where complacency is actually counterproductive. Motivate your clients to be goal-selective so they can maximise their concentration.

4. Small steps

It's fine to take measured baby steps as well as giant leaps of faith. Leaving your safety zone doesn't mean you have to abandon any sense of caution. There is growth at every turn.

Creating as little friction as possible requires patiently cultivating self-awareness and wisely measuring the boundaries of each zone.

7 Ways to Leave Your Comfort Zone

Now that we've discussed the what, why, and how of stepping outside your comfort zone, let's look at seven different approaches.

1. Do everyday things differently.

There are many chances to test oneself in regular situations. Disconnect from technology at mealtimes, make quicker clothing selections, or take it easy on a walk and enjoy your surroundings. These shifts force you to abandon your established habits.

2. Expand your professional skillset.

Adding to your skill set is a great way to boost your employability, as well as your creativity and sense of self-worth. Many people are intimidated by the prospect of developing their oratorical, negotiating, and leadership abilities. By investing in them, you increase their strength, happiness, and potential for success.

3. Try a new diet.

The majority of us would like to eat healthier and cut out on 'comfort foods.' When you do that, you're generally forced to experiment.

Maintaining a healthy eating plan can be difficult, but it's well worth the effort in the long run.

4. Take workouts to the next level.

Many people, like you, have this aspiration. It could be anything from finishing one's first 5K to competing in and winning a triathlon.

Exercising with lofty goals in mind is a fantastic way to kickstart your journey out of your comfort zone.

5. Get creative.

There is generally some degree of danger in any creative endeavour, whether it be penning a sonnet or starting a business. It's inevitable that you'll make mistakes and learn from them when you're trying something new and creative.

Creativity exercises help you adopt a growth attitude and let go of the urge for immediate perfection.

6. Challenge your beliefs.

While it may be unsettling to consider viewpoints that differ from one's own, doing so ultimately results in personal development and new insights.

This could be accomplished in a number of ways, including by expanding your horizons in terms of what you read, who you hang out with, and where you go. Being in one's comfort zone is characterised by ease and familiarity, however this can lead to complacency.

7. Practice honesty.

The use of honesty in a mindful manner can be a powerful force for development. In order to grow, people must be honest, whether it's with themselves in a diary or with a trusted friend. We learn more about ourselves and strengthen our relationships with others when we speak the truth to one another.

10 Inspiring Quotes

Here are ten quotes that encapsulate many of the ideas discussed:

All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone.

Tony Robbins

You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.

Brian Tracy

My comfort zone is like a little bubble around me, and I’ve pushed it in different directions and made it bigger and bigger until these objectives that seemed totally crazy eventually fall within the realm of the possible.

Alex Honnold

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Becoming is better than being. The fixed mindset does not allow people the luxury of becoming. They have to already be.

Carol Dweck

One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.

Abraham Maslow

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.

Benjamin Franklin

You have calibrated life when most of what you fear has the titillating prospect of adventure.

Nassim Taleb

The level of effort you tolerate from yourself will define your life.

Tom Bilyeu

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

Nelson Mandela

PositivePsychology.com’s Useful Tools

If you're looking for resources to help your clients break out of their routines, go no further than PositivePsychology.com.

Worksheets and activities are available to help you enter the growth zone and reach your full potential.

I'll give you three instances:

Acquiring Novel Abilities

By using this instrument, customers are prompted to consider instances where they successfully applied newly acquired abilities. Patients who have trouble venturing outside their comfort zones may benefit from this practise because it helps them recognise and accept their feelings of unease.

Leaving Your Safe Space

Clients can use this instrument to recognise behaviours or routines that contribute to a stagnant lifestyle. They are encouraged to use the table to brainstorm exciting and difficult things they can do to better prepare themselves for the unexpected.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

By giving people words to use in place of limiting beliefs, this intervention helps them shift towards a development mindset.

Funeral Meditation is another option that may seem offbeat but ends up being quite instructive. A client's future funeral may serve as a powerful motivator for them to adopt a development mindset if they are reluctant to change their status quo.

This compilation of 17 validated motivation & goals-achievement tools for practitioners is perfect if you're seeking for more evidence-based strategies to assist others in accomplishing their objectives. Apply cutting-edge methods for influencing behaviour, supported by scientific evidence, to assist others in making their goals a reality.

A Take-Home Message

It might be difficult to spot openings that require you to step outside your comfort zone, and even more challenging to seize those openings with confidence.

Cultivating a mindset that paves the route towards the growth zone is essential. You can do this by accepting your innate flexibility, learning to reframe stress, and having faith in your resilience in the face of adversity.

Everyone does, whether they realise it or not. It's tempting to stick with what's comfortable, to settle for the status quo. Alternately, you can open yourself up to new experiences, push outside your comfort zone, and discover your true potential.

When this becomes routine, there are numerous advantages to enjoy. Our greatest human potential is realised, and we become a source of motivation for those around us, and we experience fewer disappointments and less regrets as a result.

Have fun reading this article, please. Make sure to grab our three free Goal Accomplishment Exercises.