We like things to stay the same, so we gravitate toward routines. Days without surprises are easily managed. We even talk about being 'comfortable' to say one is financially secure. Comfort is considered the ultimate goal of a life well spent.
It’s also the greatest prison cell you’ll ever devise for yourself.
What Is the Comfort Zone?
Back in 1991, Judith Bardwick coined the term “Comfort Zone” when she said:
“The comfort zone is 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.”
Why Is It So Comfortable?
You know what is expected – Take a job you've had for years. You understand the daily tasks, the office culture, and the expectations. There are no surprises, so there’s little stress.
You have the time to learn new things – When life is predictable, it’s easy to pick up hobbies, such as reading about new skills or watching educational videos, without feeling pressured to apply them.
You can make time for daydreams – When there are no major challenges, you have the luxury to imagine a different life without actually working toward it.
It gives your body a break – A routine lifestyle often means fewer physical demands, making things easier on your body.
You have more time for a social life – Knowing your schedule allows for predictable social interactions, like meeting friends every Friday night.
Things seem easier – There’s a sense of control over your environment, making daily life feel manageable.
How Does It Hold Us Back?
Life seems boring or stagnant – Imagine staying in the same job for 10 years without learning new skills. Eventually, boredom sets in.
You don’t get a chance to apply everything you learn – You might read about entrepreneurship or leadership but never take action to start a project or take on new responsibilities.
You dream big, but don’t act – Many people aspire to write a book, start a business, or run a marathon but never leave their comfort zone to take the first step.
You get too comfortable with leisure time – Watching Netflix every evening instead of working on personal goals is easy when comfort rules your life.
You aren’t as flexible or capable of adapting – When COVID-19 disrupted work and life, those stuck in their comfort zones struggled to adapt to remote work or career pivots.
You aren’t reaching your true potential – Imagine an athlete who never pushes past their easiest workouts. They’ll never reach peak performance.
The Discomfort Zone
Welcome to the other side of the coin. You can't know what comfort is unless you've been uncomfortable at some point in your life. Without one, the other has no value. The Discomfort Zone, though, has more purpose than to underscore when things are calm and serene. The Discomfort Zone is where all the magic happens. Of the two, the Discomfort Zone is where you’ll find the potential for all your goals and dreams to take flight.
How Can Discomfort Propel Us Towards Our Goals?
Discomfort allows you to see new possibilities – Moving to a new city for a job might seem terrifying, but it can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
Discomfort helps you discover connections to what you already know – Struggling to learn a new language can make you appreciate the complexity of communication and improve your problem-solving skills.
Discomfort encourages you to chase new goals – Signing up for your first public speaking event might make you nervous, but it’s the first step toward becoming a confident communicator.
Discomfort demands you find new things to do or try – Getting laid off forces you to explore new career paths that you may not have considered before.
Discomfort requires you to make bold decisions – Investing in yourself, like going back to school or starting a business, involves risk but can lead to incredible rewards.
Discomfort helps us push our limits – Training for a marathon requires pushing through pain and fatigue, but the finish line is worth it.
Discomfort forces new perspectives – Traveling to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language makes you more adaptable and empathetic.
The Discomfort System
If you're ready to step out of your comfort zone, follow these steps:
Examine your discomfort – Identify what makes you uneasy. Is it public speaking? Taking risks? Meeting new people?
Reflect on your discomfort – Ask yourself why it makes you uncomfortable. Understanding the root cause makes it easier to overcome.
Where do you see yourself? – Envision your future if you push through discomfort. What doors will it open?
Prepare – If public speaking makes you anxious, start by speaking in small groups before tackling a large audience.
Start Small – Take incremental steps. If you want to get fit but hate the gym, start by walking 10 minutes a day.
Commit – Discomfort fades with repetition. Keep showing up, and what once felt impossible will become second nature.
Final Thoughts
Comfort is easy, predictable, and safe—but it can also be a trap. True growth happens in discomfort. Whether it’s switching careers, speaking up in meetings, or stepping onto a stage, every great success story starts with a moment of unease.
So, what discomfort will you embrace today?
As a gift to you I'm offering a resource to help you step out of your comfort zone. Download my Discomfort Zone Workbook and discover the success that exists outside of your comfort zone.
"The more you practice tolerating discomfort, the more confidence you will gain in your ability to accept new challenges."
Amy Morin
Contact me if you would like more tips on effective growth strategies or sign up for my newsletter and receive tips about once a month.
Dr. Julie Olsen
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