When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? Like really did something that made you uncomfortable... I know it's a question that probably doesn't come up very often. But when you think about it, it's actually pretty important.
Why? Because we all have a comfort zone. It's what keeps us safe and secure but also makes us feel stuck or bored. And because we're human, we tend to stay in our comfort zones for as long as we can (our brains and bodies are always looking to try to simplify and secure us). That's why we need to force ourselves to step out of our comfort zones. By doing so, we get access to the amazing world of experimentation, personal development, and stretching our abilities.
But if you leave your comfort zone, where does that mean you end up? Ask yourself:
Are you in your comfort zone?
The good zone? OR
In the terror zone?
Maybe you've never thought about these zones before. But now that you have, wouldn't it be nice to know where you are (and how to get to where you should be)?
For starters, let’s define the comfort zone and discuss 2 other psychological states related to it: the good zone and the terror zone.
Comfort Zone – What is it exactly?
The comfort zone is where we feel safe and secure. It's our home, our cozy bed at night, or the path we take every day to work or school. It’s the work projects we could do in our sleep and the skills we acquired ages ago. We're comfortable there because we know what to expect. We know what will happen next, and so do all the people around us who share this space with us.
It's also where we do things repeatedly, which is why people sometimes call it "routine" or "habit." Routine can be a good thing if it means that we’re doing things right. But in many cases, routine isn't helping us move forward. Instead, it's holding us back from discovering new things about ourselves and maybe even changing for the better. It's keeping us the same as we were yesterday and the day before that.
What Is the Good Zone?
The good zone is the right balance between pressure (from outside forces like deadlines), stress (from inside forces like an overcrowded mind), and performance (what we actually produce).
It's about pushing ourselves to take on new challenges and grow, but not so far that we’re overwhelmed or unable to handle the situation. It's about being able to handle stressful situations without getting mentally bogged down by them.
The good zone is where we must consciously decide to try or do something differently, but we are still able to handle the pressure and stress that comes with it.
Now What About the Terror Zone?
When stress becomes too much to handle, it's easy to fall into the terror zone. The terror zone is the opposite of the comfort zone. It's where we face discomfort, uncertainty, and risk. This zone is the place where we can't do anything right, and it's also the place where we are most likely to give up. It's a state that is characterized by panic, rage, and fear. Prolonged time in the terror zone leads to chronic fatigue, physical illness, and burnout.
So now that you know what they are, which one have you been in today, this week, and this past month?
Knowing Our Boundaries
It's important to be aware of what our boundaries are and where they lie:
If we’re in the COMFORT ZONE, we’ll know it because we will feel familiar and safe.
If we’re in the TERROR ZONE, we’ll know it because we feel overwhelmed, confused, and helpless.
The trick is finding our GOOD ZONE — the place where we can be challenged but not overwhelmed and feel safe but not stuck. Here we are driven, motivated, energized, and inspired.
The Good Zone Is Where We Want to Be
It's where we feel like we’re doing things right and being productive, and it's also where we can do most of the things that are important to us. But how do we get into this magical place? And what does it look like once we're there?
If we are spending too much time in the comfort zone, then moving to the good zone is about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable for a little while. What this looks like will be different for everyone, but some examples include:
Taking on a new challenge at work;
Learning a new skill; or
Trying something for the first time.
Alternatively, if you are in the terror zone moving to the good zone is about learning to let go, putting up boundaries, and being able to say no. This can include:
Delegating some project work to a colleague;
Speaking to your boss about your priorities and what to let go of; and
Spending time with friends, family, or loved ones after a long day to decompress and get outside perspective.
Here are a few key things I do to stay in the good zone:
1. I set realistic goals.
Trying to accomplish too much in a short period will only lead to frustration and disappointment. I start small and work my way up. I say no to things that take me out of my focus and make sure I'm prioritizing my time carefully.
2. I take care of myself physically and mentally.
Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising are all important factors in staying productive. If my body isn't feeling good, it will be harder to focus on what I need to do.
3. I find an activity or project that makes me happy and stick with it.
Doing something I enjoy outside of work helps reduce my stress levels and makes it easier for me to stay motivated. I create clear stopping times at the end of each day when I end work and start unwinding.
These three techniques have helped me stay on track, get things done, and find the balance between my comfort zone and terror zone.
So here are some final thoughts:
If you want to achieve more and feel better, you need to spend more time in the good zone. That’s it! It’s just not enough to only step into the good zone once every month or so. You need to be there as often as possible because that is how you grow as a person — by stretching yourself, trying new things, and taking risks.
Whatever you want to do in life, the important thing is to pursue something different from usual, which pushes past those old boundaries of your comfort zone into this new territory where growth awaits you. And if you're in that terror zone, you have to start scaling back before it's too late.
Give these techniques a try, and let me know how it goes!