Comfort Is Killing You

Ever wondered why getting out of your "comfort zone" feels so hard? It’s because it’s hardwired into us.

Our ancestors, roaming the Savannah in search of food and shelter, faced constant danger. When they found safety, they stayed put. Why risk venturing into the unknown if they already had what they needed?

Fast forward to today, where the world is at our fingertips. All the salty, fatty food your heart desires is just an Uber Eats away. Once again, it’s easy to feel safe and settled. Why move when everything you need is right there?

But here’s the catch: back on the Savannah, staying put came with its own risks. Moving into the unknown might have meant becoming prey to a predator. That fear—the fear of the unknown—is the barrier that still stands between us and stepping out of our comfort zones.

Fear and Growth

Today, fear doesn’t involve being eaten by a lion, but it still holds us back. Sitting comfortably on the couch, doing something different feels hard—even frightening. Yet, without challenging ourselves, we risk becoming inelastic and brittle.

Once, while traveling for work, I visited a regional office and passed through a room filled with old accounting records and unused stationery. On a dusty shelf, I found several boxes of rubber bands. Curious, I opened one and stretched a band… snap! The same thing happened with every rubber band I picked. They’d become brittle, losing their elasticity.

I have a theory: people are like those rubber bands. Without stretching ourselves, we become rigid, stuck in our ways, and prone to breaking under stress. As we age, this inelasticity becomes even more pronounced.

Building Resilience

To avoid becoming brittle, we must constantly challenge ourselves with things that push us outside our comfort zones. These challenges may feel hard and make us nervous, but that’s the point. It’s where growth happens.

Consider:

• Competing in an Ironman, 5K, or marathon.

• Learning a new skill.

• Interviewing for a new job.

• Taking swimming lessons.

Another way to think about elasticity is resilience. And resilience can be built over time by setting small, manageable stretch goals. These little challenges build identity capital—the belief that we can do hard things because we’ve done them before.

Leveling Up

The better we get at tackling new challenges, the more prepared and flexible we become when life throws its big challenges our way. It’s like a video game: every time you take on something new, you level up. Each new level brings tougher challenges, but you also gain new skills to help you succeed.

Don’t be discouraged if it feels hard. It’s supposed to. That difficulty is a sign you’re making progress.

Ready to Stretch?

Thanks for reading! If you’re ready to push outside your comfort zone and into a zone of growth, I’ve got a free mini-course that can help. Just follow the link: https://stan.store/Generalistalan/p/how-to-be-a-high-performer-in-times-of-change