Stretching the boundaries
- Philip Brophy
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Test new approaches • 3 min read
Stepping out of our comfort zone and trying new things can do wonders for our ability to think creatively.
In 2012, Applied Cognitive Psychology published a study on the impact studying abroad has on creativity. The research, which was carried out in the University of Florida, found that students who spent a semester in Spain or Senegal scored higher on two different tests of creativity than students who chose to stay on campus.
Introduction
We’ve looked at how our daily challenges and risk experiences add up. Every time we try something new, we learn and expand our repertoire of life skills and self-knowledge.
Today, we’ll look at further ways to expand the boundaries of our comfort zones.
Set up your environment for success
Create an environment that supports your growth. This can mean removing factors that can be used as excuses. For example, if you’ve got an important meeting the next day, how about doing some background research the night before?
This way, all you’ll need to do is bring your notes. By preparing in advance, you’ll feel confident in raising a point that’s backed up with facts.
Recognise when you make excuses
We may, for example, rationalise that, “networking isn’t the be all and end all, that it’s the quality of your work that counts.” While this can be true, it could also be an excuse for the fact that you’re just not comfortable networking.
Ask yourself, “If you didn’t experience any anxiety at all with the given situation — if it were completely stress free, would it be something you’d like doing?”
If the answer is yes, it’s probably fear that you’re struggling with.
But remember, you’ll never be able to overcome inaction without being honest with yourself. Instead of rationalising why the behaviour is something not worth performing, actively brainstorm all the reasons why it is worth performing.
Customise your game plan
Try identifying what’s most challenging for you in a particular situation and recognise that there’s no single perfect way to approach it. In most scenarios, you can customise your behaviour to be at your most effective.
If you cringe at the idea of public speaking, you can tailor the situation to your personality.
How about focusing on one or two people who you click with, rather than working the whole room?
Key takeaways
Prepare your environment for success. When an important discussion is raised, you will be in a great position to contribute positively to the topic.
Instead of dwelling on why you should not take the plunge, actively rationalise these feelings and brainstorm all the reasons why you should.
Customise your plan of action to suit your levels of comfort and your own personality. For example, if only speaking to two of three people at an event works for you — and if this method will force you to take the plunge — then go with that.
Think big, act small
Why not take the plunge and remove your standard mechanisms that make it easy to stay in your comfort zone?
You could, for example, prep your information the day before, going in without the notes to make your points from memory.
Content sources
Harvard Business Review, 2013, Andy Molinsky, ‘Get Out of Your Comfort Zone: A Guide for the Terrified’
Harvard Business Review, 2016, Andy Molinsky, ‘If You’re Not Outside Your Comfort Zone, You Won’t Learn Anything’
Huffington Post, Carolyn Gregoire, 2017, 6 Reasons To Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Psychology Today, ‘Why Is It So Hard to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?’
Psychology Today, 2015m ‘5 Benefits of Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone’
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