No Growth in the Comfort Zone
The comfort zone is a place that feels safe and secure. Every single one of us has that zone. As athletes, it can be easy to feel at home in this space because it is often where we face the least amount of stress. We get attached to this feeling of stress relief because, let’s face it, who wants to be constantly scared or anxious? It becomes natural to avoid things that create discomfort, but what most people fail to realize is that discomfort is the gateway to success. We can never reach our greatest potential until we push our boundaries and abilities past what is comfortable.
Sounds amazing, right? But how do you begin? A great first step is a shift in mindset. Because athletes face such unique physical, emotional, and mental challenges, it can be easy to have a fixed mindset. Individuals with fixed mindsets view their capabilities and skills as unchangeable, something that cannot be improved. We often put labels on skills; either we have them, or we do not. There is no room for growth or improvement. If you don’t believe you have the capabilities to achieve the skill, you are never going to work to improve those skill sets which will ultimately influence confidence and self-efficacy. Working to shift into what we call a growth mindset will be incredibly beneficial to start stepping outside your comfort zone. A growth mindset is defined as believing your abilities can be developed and learned over time. If you view your current skill set as temporary with room for growth, you create room for potential. You allow yourself space to improve and work towards change. Research on brain plasticity has supported the idea of a growth mindset. With practice we can actually grow and strengthen neural networks and connections. We can change our brain to work for us!! It can seem incredibly scary to challenge yourself in these domains at first, but a growth mindset forces you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
When we step outside our comfort zones, we must come to terms that we WILL face failure. Failure is only a part of the journey. We are not going to see the changes and growth we expect on our first try. It takes practice, problem-solving, and embracing adaptability. You learn to push yourself through failure and find the inner strength and self-confidence to get back up and do it again. Practice failure. Get good at it.
Discomfort is where we learn strength, determination, perseverance, vulnerability, courage and so much more. In addition to changing our mindsets, there are other ways we can challenge ourselves to lean into the discomfort.
Identify areas you want to grow stronger in, whether that be a physical or mental challenge. WRITE THEM DOWN!
Surround yourself with a support system.
Work with coaches or teammates to brainstorm ways you can begin to actively work towards your goals.
Set small day-to-day challenges and goals for each practice.
Ask yourself, “How can I push myself today to do something different or uncomfortable?”
Be open and honest with yourself about what scares you. Embrace it.
Reward yourself for doing uncomfortable things.
Stepping outside this comfort zone can be a scary and challenging task, but once you get the courage to take the first step, you open yourself up to unlimited growth and the potential to be your greatest self. As Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” In summary, have fear and do it anyways. You fullest potential awaits.
