Comfort and Success

What’s comfort got to do with being successful? Why do people say you need to be comfortable with the uncomfortable to achieve success, What does that mean? How does inconvenience create opportunities? Is inconvenience the same as being uncomfortable?

Well, inconvenience can push you to create convenience. Thus creating and seizing opportunities. This leads to success and achievement. But being uncomfortable is not the same thing. If you’re too focused on getting yourself out of stress, you won’t find any time, resources or strength to focus on achieving your idea of success.

Instead, you will get sucked into a deep state of sedated consciousness. Where your main focus is merely your elementary survival. And when you are barely surviving, there is no room for thriving.

necessity is the mother of invention

If comfort can help us thrive, then why do people keep saying we need to embrace discomfort. How can discomfort lead to growth and success? Well, obviously it can’t. What people really mean by discomfort is inconvenience and specific cases of content and unwillingness to challenge oneself. A great example of this is problem solving situations. These are situations when there is a specific need or problem. Someone sees this clearly and decides to work toward creating and designing the solution for it.

Another way to understand “stepping out of our comfort zone” is when we talk about our limiting believes. Yes, identifying and addressing limiting beliefs often involves changing our belief system. In other words, shift our mindset. This can be a challenging but important step towards personal growth and achieving our goals. An example of a mindset shift is when someone changes their perspective or way of thinking about a certain topic or situation. This can lead to a change in behavior or actions.

Changing your belief or mindset requires you to believe in your ability to grow and change. This includes viewing challenges as opportunities. Focusing on continuous progress rather than on specific outcomes. Adapting to change. Learning how to prioritize correctly. For example how to prioritize your happiness, your time and your energy.

But in all these cases, they do not actually mean stepping out of your real comfort zone. So what is a comfort zone in reality?

What is a comfort zone?

Personally, when I hear the term comfort zone, I imagine a particular condition. A situation which feels familiar, safe, and makes me feel at ease. It is where we experience low levels of anxiety and stress. In my opinion, this is the perfect condition for thriving. Since there are no obstacles draining our physical energy and mental ability. Then all we have we can use toward our plans, and fulfilling tasks, which are productive and prosperous.

But when others say to get out of your comfort zone they actually mean something else. Because they assume that stepping outside of your comfort zone allows you to challenge yourself and learn new skills or perspectives, which can help you achieve your goals. When I hear that I feel there is a lot missed in translation and even more I feel the phrase can be harmful and misleading.

The reality is there is no way to grow, develop and prosper, if you are too concerned about your survival. When we act based on our basic instincts, we miss many opportunities in life. Because prioritizing survival over personal growth can hinder one’s ability to thrive and fully experience life.

nothing ventured, nothing gained

In order to truly thrive, one must be willing to take risks and prioritize growth over mere survival. Taking risks does not necessarily mean getting out of our comfort zone. But it does suggest we need to try new things, and absolutely challenge ourselves. If you don’t take any risks in life, you will not achieve anything in life. Plain and simple!

Nevertheless, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of any given risk. Risk should be calculated not a gamble. Therefore, try to make informed decisions based on analysis and real data. Keep in mind, your decision to take a risk should be based on careful consideration rather than impulsiveness or recklessness.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my interpretation above. And I hope this helps. Wish you the best and good luck in all.