If you're not uncomfortable, you're not learning, so the saying goes.
There is some interesting research on how stability in your environment. aka being in a comfort zone, effectively shuts down the portion of your brain linked to learning.
Seemingly, routine and easily anticipated results from simple and repetitive tasks basically put the brain on autopilot and shut off any process of learning. Whereas having unpredictable results, or unclear or unexpected outcomes, may stimulate learning.
The comfort zone...
Recently I was asked how often I find myself out of my comfort zone in my work. Surprisingly, the answer was "basically every day".
And this is really it. I almost feel I don't remember the last time I was in a sort of comfort zone. The last say 18 months have been an incredible learning journey, taking on new challenges all the time, and having to learn and grow my skills every day.
Everything You Want is Just Outside Your Comfort Zone
Achieving anything of value takes skill, effort, and a bit of luck. If you've got ambitions that are bigger and better than where you are now, the skills and effort that have got you to where you are now, are generally not what's going to take you to the next level.
You'll need to step out of your comfort zone to expand your skills, put the effort in, and create a bit of luck, to get to the next level of whatever area of your life you want to improve.
It's been very rewarding for me to keep pushing my comfort zone, learning, and applying new skills, and improving my situation.
Just in the last 18 months, I've managed to improve my income, the overall results in our business, and my level of contribution and connection to our team. I've improved my knowledge of international business, managing a team, the stock market, investing, and coffee (because there are many opinions on the right way to make a good cup!).
My Challenge To You, Dear Reader
So here are my parting thoughts for this post... try to push yourself a little every day. Learn something new, or improve an existing skill, travel somewhere new, have a conversation with someone you disagree with. These things all help get you out of your comfort zone, add to your experience and help expand your mind. And the opportunities and rewards will follow.
