The myth of leaving our comfort zone

The myth of leaving our comfort zone

Update: 2025-08-25
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We often hear that growth begins only outside our comfort zone. But the truth is more nuanced: sustainable progress happens in the learning zone, not when we’re thrown into panic. In this episode, I’ll share why keeping some areas of stability is vital if we want to grow boldly in others.

#ComfortZone #LearningZone #PersonalGrowth #CommunicationSkills#PsychologicalSafety #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #Resilience#GrowthMindset #SelfDevelopment

Literature

Bodie, G. D. (2010). A racing heart,rattling knees, and ruminative thoughts: Defining, explaining, and treatingpublic speaking anxiety. Communication Education, 59(1), 70–105.https://doi.org/10.1080/03634520903443849

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow:The psychology of optimal experience. New York: Harper & Row.

McKenzie, M. (2003). Beyond “theoutward bound process”: Rethinking student learning. Journal of ExperientialEducation, 26(1), 8–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/105382590302600104

White, A. (2009). From comfort zoneto performance management: Understanding development and performance. Journalof Management Development, 28(5), 414–427.https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710910955985

Yerkes, R. M., & Dodson, J. D.(1908). The relation of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit‐formation. Journalof Comparative Neurology and Psychology, 18(5), 459–482.https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.920180503

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The myth of leaving our comfort zone

The myth of leaving our comfort zone

Gerhard Ohrband, MA in Psychology (University of Hamburg/Germany)