Many years ago when I was teaching and training
adults I studied the area of Accelerated Learning. I learnt many valuable tools and techniques that I still use
a great deal in my life as a coach.
One of the most valuable things I learnt and regularly discuss with my
clients, is the important role that the comfort zone and other zones play. Not only in learning but also how they
can contribute to stress.
Our comfort zone, is all about that….comfort! In this zone we can perform or carry
out tasks with little challenge or learning. We can do things in our comfort zone blindfolded. It is an area where we are accomplished
and experienced. Sounds good? Actually, not always. In this zone we experience little
challenge and growth and therefore we can fall down into the zone beneath,
which is the Drone Zone.
The Drone Zone is where it can feel like we are in a
rut, not getting ahead, not enjoying any change, not practicing any creativity,
in thinking or otherwise.
Therefore, this is a dangerous zone in which to be stuck in for too
long, as it can be hard to climb out of and create a vision of where to
next. It is a “rut” zone that can
create stress out of boredom and lack of challenge and accomplishment. It’s
important to move out of this zone fast!
That brings me back to our Comfort Zone: and if the
Drone Zone is beneath it, what is above it? The Panic Zone!
We all know this zone. This
is where we get a little rush of adrenaline and maybe a little bit of inner
talk telling us it’s too hard, could never do this or have this, or we don’t’
deserve it and so on. I relate the
Panic Zone to being like popping your head up over the wall to see what else is
on offer. Over that wall are all
sorts of cool things you’d like to achieve but nervously wonder if they are out
of reach. The tendency could be to
duck back down. This zone
definitely provides some challenge and learning and is a great zone to jump up
into every now and then. You don’t
want to stay in this zone too long as it too can create a bit of stress. So popping into the Panic
Zone is a good thing every now and then.
It is where we go when we are trying something new and a little bit
scary, but this is also the area in which we learn and achieve the most.
Applying for a new role takes us into panic zone,
learning a new skill takes us into panic zone, having a courageous conversation
takes us into panic zone. So here’s
to challenging that uncomfortable comfort zone and popping your head up over
that fence every now and then.
Good luck!
