Comfort to growth scale
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NEWSFLASH: I've also published a shorter version of this article to medium.com! Please support me by adding a "clap" at: The Comfort to Growth Scale |
The scale below represents an important life concept around people who leave their comfort zone. If you only ever stay in your comfort zone... you don't grow. I was inspired to make this scale in March 2023 while doing an Atlas Project self development course which definitely helps you grow by stretching you out of your comfort zone.
My Graphical Representation of the "Growth to Comfort Scale" (0-10)
The idea: If you never challenge yourself you will probably never get what you want in life. For the rare among us, and for young children, asking for what they want isn't at all uncomfortable, and hey - good for you - I want the drug you are having. For most of us, we have to remind ourselves that in time of discomfort, we can learn and grow. Our natural instincts is to run away from anything scary of painful, but you never learn anything when you shrinking away.... and in the long run it's a huge disservice to "play small" like this. It's like the expression:
- What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Well in this chart I also wanted to point out that you should be trying to kill yourself. If you push too hard into the 9-10 region you will probably burn out. Think of Hormesis - whereby a little bit of stressors in our life is good for us. It avoids sloth.Physical strength and endurance: If you want to get stronger, you lift weights until your muscles hurt - the muscle fibers break and reform stronger. You don't overdo it to the point muscles tear apart completely - that's crazy. The same is true of cardio. Push yourself, but don't kill yourself.
Emotional strength and endurance: I'm convinced that when the "heart" (a muscle) breaks, it can reform stronger. Focus on the pain and chose not to suffer. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. I'm not suggesting you seek out heartbreak, but do realize that people have never really experienced and embrace any pain or heartbreak in their lives are fragile and lacking in the character, personality and revolve we see in leaders and... well... interesting people. Sheltered people are usually boring. They never got a chance to push their boundaries. :)
I would write more, but I want to keep it concise. Push yourself a little, but don't go crazy. And I'm not suggesting you ALWAYS are in this discomfort zone. Try instead this approach:
- Do one thing each day that scares you.
Now you are growing! Playing a big game doesn't have to be huge steps all at once, but you do have to grow into someone unstoppable.
Text Representation
Where do you see yourself on a scale of comfort-to-growth (0 to 10).
10 = Life on hardmode, to the point where it might actually be killing me
...
5 = Not afraid of discomfort, but I want to pace myself
...
0 = So I don’t really like to leave the house or do anything risky. Like ever.
Disclaimer
This is not a scientifically accurate scale. Like at all. It's founded in legit psychology, but it's also about comedy and it's certainly not to scale. If you want to be a bit more scientific about it, read up on Hormesis.
Hope this inspires you to grow!
Sincerely,
Andrew Noske
PS: Feedback is most encouraged! :)
See Also
- Graphic Scales - For more of these scales.
- Hormesis - The principle that some discomfort/poison/pain is good for us as humans.
| Acknowledgements: The people who created The Atlas Project plus my friend Sam Kennedy who I'm writing a book with about dance.... and he actually inspired the idea of a 1 to 10 scale in relation to dancing! Yes, even in dancing you push what is comfortable emotionally and physically. Thanks Sam! |
