Embrace Discomfort And Reach Your Destination
No pain, no gain. A phrase that has been played out to oblivion. But here’s the truth: stepping out of your comfort zone—physically and mentally—is the pathway to growth. Yes, it’s painful. Yes, it can straight up suck. Explorers understand that well. They learn to use this discomfort like a compass that leads them to their destination. And you can too.
Why would you want to embrace pain and discomfort?
A dive into the research reveals that pushing the boundaries of comfort can significantly impact one's mental health, personal development, creativity, and social connections. It feeds characteristics and situations that lead to success. It keeps us moving forward. So, from the comfort of wherever you’re seeing this, let's explore the evidence for how venturing into the unknown can lead to profound changes in our lives.
Boosting Creativity and Learning
Have you ever been rejected? Told your idea wouldn’t work. Hurts, right? But studies have also explored the link between social rejection (a form of discomfort) and creativity. The findings suggest that individuals who experienced rejection were more likely to display higher levels of creativity in subsequent tasks. Explorers understand. They typically have their ideas rejected many times before they get the green light to embark. Most expeditions end before they begin. When they do though, the leaders are that much more equipped and adaptive because they had to innovate to succeed.
Enhancing Personal Growth and Courage
Stepping out of your comfort zone is not just about facing fears but about building a deeper belief in your abilities. People who engage in challenging and novel activities experience a significant increase in their self-efficacy and overall life satisfaction. Can you see the same in explorers? Despite numerous obstacles, they continually push the boundaries of the known world and their own capabilities.
The relationship between discomfort and mental health is complex, yet studies have indicated that controlled exposure to stressors can improve stress resilience. It’s true. Individuals who have undergone moderate levels of adversity have reported better mental health and well-being than those with high or low levels of adversity.
Luckily, you don’t have to go to the ends of the earth for growth. You don’t even have to leave the classroom. In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck demonstrates how students who embraced challenges and viewed failures as opportunities for growth (a hallmark of the growth mindset) achieved higher levels of success than those who avoided challenges for fear of failure. Sit with that before planning to achieve your next goal.
Improving Social Bonds and Empathy
Introverted much? Even if you thrive in quiet moments by yourself, if you find your goals eluding you, it might be time to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Networking events, classes, clubs—you name it. (Full disclosure: I have gone to several networking events and never spoke to a single person. My insecurities kept my mouth closed. A total waste of time.) Studies have shown that engaging in diverse social interactions, situations that require adaptability and openness, is associated with increased social and emotional well-being. Is that worth the discomfort for you? Think about your journey (not the first step) and I think you’ll find that stepping out will be well worth it.
The Mechanisms Behind the Magic
This is all well and good, you say. But WHY does it work? The answer lies in the concept of "optimal anxiety." This is the zone of discomfort just outside our comfort zone. Here, the level of anxiety is stimulating enough to promote growth without being overwhelming. It triggers a heightened state of focus and engagement, essential for learning and adaptation. Baby steps, essentially. Think: exposure therapy.
The act of consistently overcoming these optimal anxiety challenges reinforces the brain's reward system. This leads to feelings of accomplishment and increased motivation. The growth mindset is furthered by engaging in a prolonged cycle of challenge and reward. With that mindset in place, the sky is the limit. Challenges are opportunities. Failures? They’re the tacks your ship takes towards its destination.
Each of these findings underscore the importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for positive change. By pushing the boundaries of what feels comfortable, we open ourselves up to a world of potential growth and enrichment. So, the next time you're faced with an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, remember the science-backed benefits that await on the other side. Picture yourself walking side by side with the explorer. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment when you finally reach your destination. When you look back, you won’t be the same person as when you left.
Practical Steps for Embracing Discomfort: For strategies for tackling discomfort in professional settings, I highly recommend reading "A Guide to Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone," by Andy Molinsky. Then take those small, manageable steps for gradually expanding your comfort zone, embrace discomfort, and see how your journey changes.
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