The Science Behind Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone
How to step into the unknown with confidence.
As a child, we are constantly being pushed out of our comfort zone. For example, we are pushed from primary school to secondary school and then into the workplace or into university.
As adults, we can see the logic in the process I’ve described; of course, young children should be pushed up into the next school year so they have the opportunity to learn and to grow in new circumstances, but we think this doesn’t apply to us as adults.
As adults, we are not pushed forward, we can actually remain in our comfort zones for years, sometimes all our life without pushing the boundaries any further.
This May Mean Different Things For Different People.
This might mean;
· Staying in the same company for fear of having to make new connections at a new workplace.
· Not returning to work after having children due to concern that you aren’t ‘up to date’.
· Not perusing the business idea that you have due to fear of failure.
· Not enrolling in higher education because you’re ‘not clever enough’.
· Not speaking to the girl on the train that you see every day and who you want to ask out.
· Not wearing certain clothes because you think they’re reserved for certain body types.
Comfort zones consciously and unconsciously apply to every area of your life. But think back to the memorable moments in life for a moment, picture one now.
That memory you are picturing most probably came about as a result of you taking a risk, making a leap, or just choosing to do something differently.
So, How Do We Get Out Of Our Comfort Zone?
There is a scientific theory called the zone of proximal development which can be used as an instruction manual of sorts for breaking out of our comfort zone.
The zone of proximal development is a theory of Vygotsky which is typically used in child development but its principles can easily be applied to adults and the mystery of comfort zones.
Vygotsky observed that children often cannot solve problems themselves. However, when aided by a caregiver or a capable peer, they can solve the given problem. Once being able to solve the said problem with a capable peer they can go on to solve the problem unassisted.
The zone of proximal development is in the middle stage — somewhere in between not being able to complete the task at all and being able to master it completely. And what Vygotsky uncovered was that to make this jump from novice to mastery, you can do so more easily with the help of a mentor.
There is a clear message here that if there is a new area or a new skill that you want to learn, instead of simply saying “I can’t do this” and giving up your dream or your interest in such a subject you can engage a mentor, trainer, teacher, manager or even a friend who is more versed on that subject than you are who can help you and guide you to a better understanding of that subject.
So what is it that you want to learn more about? Want to improve your fitness but the idea of going to the gym makes you break out into a cold sweat of fear? Engage a trainer! They will of dealt with situations like yours many times and will be able to offer the guidance you need to make the progress.
If you are sitting there thinking, I would love a mentor but I just can't afford one then do not fret. There is a plethora of free mentorship online, which can be accessed on platforms like YouTube.
So, in order to push your comfort zone why not learn a new skill, once you have mastered this skill, who knows where it could take you and how you could push your comfort zone further!
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