S4 EP.3 Comfort Zone

Welcome back to another week and episode of The Why Behind You and our focus on this week’s topic of finding shelter in your comfort zone.  We’ve talked over the past couple of weeks about New Beginnings and how the idea of new can lead to unusual levels of Uncertainty and anxiety. These are realities that we face on a daily basis and the question is…….how do you respond to that situation? Do you face the idea of change, the idea of new, the idea of uncertainty head on and embrace the nuance of not knowing what’s next? Not knowing what lurking around the next corner…. Or do you find yourself falling into the all to familiar comfort zone? When we can find ourselves in an unfamiliar place on a daily basis…..and one of the easiest things to do is, revert back to what we know best….that thing that is the most comfortable and safe space. But think about it….. When we do that, are we really allowing ourselves to move forward…. Think about the last time you did something for the first time. What was that feeling like?  I bet it was a bit unsettling and you didn’t know what to expect…. When you look back on your journey and how you’ve evolved……It might seem very different now because your confidence and comfort with that old new things has come a long way. Remember….anything new and unfamiliar stands the chance of pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone It doesn’t matter how big or small that one thing is, as long as you just do it…. Here’s the reality, I used to have one train of thought on that and it was that you have to completely step out of your comfort zone in order to evolve and grow But as I’ve continued to evolve and grow on my journey in life, I have found a little flaw in my way of thinking.  I’ve always said step out of your comfort zone and learn to get uncomfortable, and once you’ve managed to build your skill and confidence and become comfortable…….then it’s time to find a new uncomfortable My new reality is you don’t have to completely step out of your comfort zone…..YOU JUST NEED TO EXPAND IT, one experience at a time.  Before we move too far ahead, let’s discuss what we mean by comfort zone….. Positive Psychology defines the comfort zones as 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 -Anxiety neutral, risk free…..it’s the easy zone….because we are less inclined to venture into the realm of the unknown…..staying in a space of comfort and familiarity offers greater predictability It’s not easy stepping out on faith and intuition to explore something different that will not only challenge you, but possibly test you mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically capacity LinkedIn states your comfort zone is a behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk. It provides a state of mental security  -SECURITY….think about how comfortable it feels to have the idea of a security blanket in life. You are willing to do more, take more risk…..when you know the chances of unpredictable outcomes happening are minimal to non-existent.  Bottom line is, when you don’t know the outcome, when your next steps aren’t as predictable…..you naturally become more risk-averse It’s for this reason I’ve evolved in my way of thinking of EXPANDING YOUR COMFORT ZONE….. You have to be willing to put yourself in uncomfortable situations, but you also have to keep a healthy amount of foundational intra-dependencies present at all times. Let’s not confuse “INTRA-dependencies“ with “INTER-dependencies….. INTRA-dependencies indicate something that is happening within the same group or place (e.g. YOU) INTER-dependencies refers to something that is happening between two or more places or groups (e.g. YOU and someone else)  Intra-dependencies will help to balance your uncomfortable-comfort zone  Shift your mindset to maintain a strong balance