One year ago, I went from a full time corporate manager to a full time self-employed leadership coach and advisor. I went from extremely good labor conditions to creating my own conditions. Or from an alternative perspective; I went from the comfort zone to the discomfort zone.
I belief that personal growth happens when you (consciously) step into the discomfort zone, which is just beyond the comfort zone (and not yet in the panic zone).
The comfort zone is the zone where you are in, when you are doing things that you have already mastered. Typically, this happens when you are a few years in your current job. On a side note, somebody once told me that 3 years in any job are usually spend in the following manner; to sow, to harvest and to drink beer (you have to admit, that last part feels comfortable, right…).
The good thing about the comfort zone is that you feel calm and relaxed; this allows you to reflect on your experiences. This is the zone where you feel safe, where everything is predictable and where you can save energy.
Beyond the comfort zone lies the discomfort (or stretch) zone. To enter this zone, you will need energy, courage and a growth mindset.
This is where you don’t know what will happen, where you experiment with new things and where you discover new opportunities or boundaries. The stretch zone can feel exciting in a good way, so it won’t block you. By entering the discomfort zone, you are enlarging your comfort zone and enabling personal growth.
Beyond the discomfort zone, is the panic zone, the one where you go into “fight or flight” mode. Typically, your energy is blocked by your fears, disabling learning. There are situations where you cannot avoid entering the panic zone. If that happens, then make sure you exit quickly, because it will hamper your health in the long term.
It is key to mention that everyone has different zones, in separate aspects of life. Discovering your boundaries and zones will amplify your personal growth, I can vouch for that from firsthand experience.
If you are ready to step into your discomfort zone and amplify your personal growth, contact me for a free consultation.
Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash
One year ago, I went from a full time corporate manager to a full time self-employed leadership coach and advisor. I went from extremely good labor conditions to creating my own conditions. Or from an alternative perspective; I went from the comfort zone to the discomfort zone.
I belief that personal growth happens when you (consciously) step into the discomfort zone, which is just beyond the comfort zone (and not yet in the panic zone).
The comfort zone is the zone where you are in, when you are doing things that you have already mastered. Typically, this happens when you are a few years in your current job. On a side note, somebody once told me that 3 years in any job are usually spend in the following manner; to sow, to harvest and to drink beer (you have to admit, that last part feels comfortable, right…).
The good thing about the comfort zone is that you feel calm and relaxed; this allows you to reflect on your experiences. This is the zone where you feel safe, where everything is predictable and where you can save energy.
Beyond the comfort zone lies the discomfort (or stretch) zone. To enter this zone, you will need energy, courage and a growth mindset.
This is where you don’t know what will happen, where you experiment with new things and where you discover new opportunities or boundaries. The stretch zone can feel exciting in a good way, so it won’t block you. By entering the discomfort zone, you are enlarging your comfort zone and enabling personal growth.
Beyond the discomfort zone, is the panic zone, the one where you go into “fight or flight” mode. Typically, your energy is blocked by your fears, disabling learning. There are situations where you cannot avoid entering the panic zone. If that happens, then make sure you exit quickly, because it will hamper your health in the long term.
It is key to mention that everyone has different zones, in separate aspects of life. Discovering your boundaries and zones will amplify your personal growth, I can vouch for that from firsthand experience.
If you are ready to step into your discomfort zone and amplify your personal growth, contact me for a free consultation.
Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash
