“A ship in a harbor is safe, but that’s not what a ship is built for.”

John Augustus Shedd

Good morning from Ellicottville, NY

It’s that time of year again here in Ontario, March Break time!

It’s the time of year when the Henderson’s pack up our little family and head down here for our annual ski trip.

Although only a few hours away, it’s certainly quite exciting for the kids to venture into a new country for the week. We were also celebrating my daughter Dilynn’s 8th birthday yesterday as well, which was a special treat for the family. Happy birthday Dilly!

Some of my favorite moments of these trips are when we first arrive, and the kids start to explore the chalet, and amongst themselves try to figure out where they are going to sleep and call home for the week. Amid all the excitement yesterday, I was contemplating what to write this morning, as I do most Sunday’s……it wasn’t until about 2am this morning when all three kids had found their way into our bed that the theme really struck me, comfort zone.

It’s quite fascinating how quickly it’s evident that, even a short trip away into a new environment, is enough to take us out of our comfort zones. Incidentally, over the last number of months I’ve read a lot of research around the importance of not only stepping out of our comfort zone, but also understanding and maintaining our zone.

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place – but nothing ever grows there.”

Anonymous

Comfort Zone

It’s interesting, and we all understand it. Something in human nature tempts us to stay where we’re comfortable. We try to find a plateau, a resting place, where we have comfortable stress and adequate finances. Where we have comfortable associations with people, without the intimidation of meeting new people and entering strange situations. In my view, this comfort zone serves an extremely important role in how we think, how we develop, and provides us the platform to progress.

That said, it’s as equally important to be able to step outside of this comfort and embrace our curiosity, as its curiosity allows us evolve. It encourages us to go outside of our comfort zones, push our limits and discover both what we like and what we are good at. It's been said that a comfort zone is like a cozy psychological barrier. It’s made up of soft, familiar pillows. (the uncomfortable pillows were apparently taking all the blame for the lack of sleep last)

Of course, growing up takes a bit of risk and a bit of overcoming fears and self-doubt. It’s about leaving your pillow at home, trying out other ones, and returning to your humble abode to either appreciate what you have or change it.

For this reason, it’s important for us all to develop a comfort zone, and then, from time to time, learn how to step outside of it, try to experience, make mistakes and learn in this optimal performance area outside of your comfort zone. It’s beyond the comfort zone where our limits stretch a little and it enables us to develop new understanding that allow us to advance. Then, we can step back into our comfort zone and work with the new knowledge we acquire before we plan another upskilling or reskilling journey.

“The comfort zone is a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease, and secure. You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Roy T. Bennett

The last few years have been an interesting, we’ve all developed new comfort zones and struggled to leave them. It’s important to remember as Eddie Harris Jr eloquently put it “The sooner you step away from your comfort zone you’ll realize that it really wasn’t all that comfortable.”

As challenging as comfort zones are to leave, I’ve put together a few ideas that we can help us step outside and experience our own personal growth,

Adopt a Growth Mindset

Instead of viewing your comfort zone as a place you’re always going to be, realize that you have the power to change nearly everything about it. In a Fixed Mindset, you are like a tree: rooted and stuck in one place. With a Growth Mindset, you are free to move around the world. You can make changes, you can grow and change.

Become more curious

It’s so easy for us to crawl into our comfort zone and become a complete creature of habit. If you’re going to break out of your comfort zone, you’ll need to become curious, which means you’ll have to stop doing things the way you’ve always done them and try new things.

Challenge yourself to push your boundaries

If you’re finding it difficult to completely get out of your comfort zone, at least think about expanding your current boundaries. You can start each day, or each week, identifying one small thing each day that makes you engage with the world a little differently. Expanding outside of our routines is important, everything counts, whether taking a new way to work, changing your sandwich choice at lunch, or jogging a few steps when you’re out on a walk.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be intimidating, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

As you head into the week, remember to focus on your goals and maintain them even if the route changes. Accept pressure in your life and remember that, it is what it is, and not what it’s supposed to be…..it’s outside of the comfort zone is where the magic happens.

“Even the smallest changes in our daily routine can create incredible ripple effects that expand our vision of what is possible.”

Charles F. Glassman

Be well and enjoy the moments

Derek