Beyond Our Comfort Zone

Beyond Our Comfort Zone

Upgrading to a Better Version of Ourselves

Remaining within our comfort zone

The comfort zone is the space where we feel at ease — where things are familiar and skills are often well mastered. In this zone, we tend to feel confident about ourselves and know how much effort is required to generate desired rewards, and outcomes are relatively predictable. Achievements come more easily, and success reinforces positive feelings about ourselves and reassure our confidence.

However, remaining in the comfort zone for a prolonged period can limit growth. Over time, it may reduce our courage to face mistakes or overcome obstacles. In an ever-changing world, this mindset can also weaken our adaptability to cope with constant change.

Moving into the zone of discomfort

Experiencing discomfort is natural when we step beyond our comfort zone into the growth zone. This is an unfamiliar space, often accompanied by uncertainty. Before pushing ourselves to try something new, we must first confront our internal fears and self-doubt. Outcomes are no longer fully within our control, even we give our best effort. Imperfection and mistakes are likely, especially during initial attempts.

Moving beyond the comfort zone often leads to greater self-discovery and self-understanding. In today’s world, countless people share their experiences on YouTube and other social media platforms. As long as we remain curious and willing to try, abundant resources are available to support our growth. Discomfort, after all, is a companion on the journey of learning and a gateway to a new version of ourselves.

Sharing my experience

Although I had accumulated nearly twenty years of experience writing investment strategy research, I was a novice when it came to writing about life topics when I committed to this pursuit in early 2024. I felt discomfort and uncertainty, especially in the initial stages, largely because I did not have clear ideas of where to start or what to start with.

I started by writing down scattered ideas and gradually connecting them into meaningful narratives. I revisited my work many times, adding new perspectives along the way. For topics I was less familiar with, I sometimes set my writing aside and returned to it later when new insights emerged. This was very much a learning process through which I gradually honed my skills.

Accepting that we may not do something well at the beginning and trusting that commitment will eventually lead us toward our goals, is essential. When we recognise our willingness to step beyond our comfort zone and persist through practice, we can gradually improve, master new skills, and ultimately excel.

Do not compare your progress with others; instead, focus on your own growth and move at your own pace. Stress often arises from a perceived loss of autonomy, especially when we are pushed to accelerate the process before we are ready.

Parenting — support and encourage our children to grow

Some parents may prevent their children from trying new things because they themselves are reluctant to take risks or face uncertainty. As a result, when children become accustomed to staying within their comfort zone, they may lose confidence in exploring new experiences in adulthood. Learning new skills, discovering personal interests, and developing confidence and resilience all occur through exploration and challenge — especially during childhood, a critical period of growth and development.

Children are naturally more adaptable to change and better able to cope with uncertainty and mistakes. This is precisely how curiosity and courage are strengthened, and how confidence and resilience are built. Parents can support this process by assessing potential risks, explaining possible outcomes, and encouraging thoughtful decision-making. Ultimately, children benefit most when parents remain supportive while giving them the space to make their own choices.

Trying new things requires courage, a willingness to face imperfection, and the acceptance of mistakes, efforts that deserve recognition even when children do not perform well at the beginning. Reprimanding children for mistakes can be discouraging and may undermine their confidence. Instead, parents can guide them to reflect on their experiences by considering what went well, what could be improved, and what might be done differently next time.

Through this reflective approach, children learn from their mistakes and gradually build confidence, while also cultivating a growth mindset. New skills are strengthened and eventually mastered through a committed learning process — understanding current abilities, recognising strengths and weaknesses, and practising consistently over time. This is how lasting confidence is developed.

Sustaining our growth

With courage and by consistently testing our “limits” — which are often temporary and subjective — we can unlock greater potential. In the process, we can develop new knowledge and skills, expand our self-beliefs, strengthen adaptability, and build resilience. With the right mindset and approach, we can constantly upgrade and redefine ourselves. Rather than seeking instant results, a gradual and consistent approach proves far more effective.

超越舒適圈 - 提升自我

留在舒適圈

舒適圈是我們感到自在的空間，在這裡，一切都很熟悉，技能也往往掌握得很好。在這個區域，我們往往對自己充滿信心，知道獲得理想回報需要付出多少努力，結果也相對可以預測。成就更容易實現，成功會增強我們的自我認同感並鞏固我們的信心。

然而，長期留在舒適圈會限制成長。久而久之，它會降低我們面對錯誤或克服障礙的勇氣。在這個瞬息萬變的世界裡，這種心態也會削弱我們適應不斷變化的能力。

進入不舒適區

當我們走出舒適區，進入成長區時，感到不安是很自然的。這是一個陌生的空間，往往伴隨著不確定性。在嘗試新事物之前，我們必須首先面對內心的恐懼和自我懷疑。即使我們竭盡全力，結果也不會完全由我們掌控。不完美和錯誤是在所難免的，尤其是在最初嘗試的階段。

走出舒適圈往往能帶來更深刻的自我發現和自我理解。在當今世界，無數人在YouTube和其他社群台上分享他們的經驗。只要我們保持好奇心和嘗試的意願，就會有豐富的資源來支持我們的成長。畢竟，不舒適感是學習旅程中的伴侶，也是通往全新自我的閘道。

分享我的經歷

雖然我已累積了近二十年寫作投資策略研究報告的經驗，但在2024年初投身寫作人生話題時，我卻是個新手。尤其是在初期階段，我感到很不自在，也很不確定，主要是因為我不知道該從何入手。

我先把零散的想法寫下來，然後逐漸將它們串連成有意義的敘述。我反覆修改自己的文章，不斷加入新的視角。對於不太熟悉的領域，我有時會先把寫作放在一旁，等有新的領悟出現後再重新拾起。這本身就是一個學習的過程，在這個過程中，我逐漸磨練了自己的寫作技巧。

接受我們一開始可能無法做好某件事，並相信堅持不懈最終會引領我們走向目標，這一點至關重要。當我們意識到自己願意走出舒適圈時，並透過練習不斷進步，我們就能逐步提升，掌握新技能，並最終取得卓越成績。

不要把我們自己的進度與他人比較；相反，專注於自己的成長，按照自己的步伐前進。然而，壓力往往源自於自主權喪失的感覺，尤其是當我們還沒準備好時，卻要被迫加快進程的時候。

育兒之道－支持並鼓勵孩子成長

有些父母可能會阻止孩子嘗試新事物，因為他們自己不願意冒險或面對不確定性。結果，當孩子習慣留在舒適圈時，他們成年後可能會失去探索新體驗的信心。學習新技能、發現個人興趣、培養自信和韌性，這些都離不開探索和挑戰 — 尤其是在童年這個成長和發展的關鍵時期。

孩子天生更能適應變化，也更能應付不確定性和錯誤。好奇心和勇氣正是透過這種方式得到增強，自信和韌性也得以建立。父母可以透過評估潛在風險、解釋可能的結果以及鼓勵孩子深思熟慮地做決定來支持這個過程。最終，當父母在給予孩子支持的同時，也給予他們自主選擇的空間時，孩子才能從中受益最多。

嘗試新事物需要勇氣、面對不完美和接受錯誤的能力，即使孩子開始表現不佳，這些努力也值得被肯定的。責備孩子犯錯會讓他們感到沮喪，並可能打擊他們的自信心。相反，父母可以引導他們反思自己的經歷，思考那些方面做得好，那些方面可以改善，以及下次可以採取那些不同的做法。

透過這種反思的方式，孩子可以從錯誤中學習，逐步建立自信，同時培養成長型思維。透過持續的學習過程，了解自身能力、認識自身的優勢和劣勢，並堅持不懈地練習，新技能會得到鞏固，最終得以掌握。這就是建立持久自信的方式。

持續成長

憑著勇氣，不斷挑戰我們自身的「極限」– 往往是暫時性及主觀的 – 我們可以釋放更大的潛能。在這個過程中，我們可以累積新的知識和技能，增強自信，提升適應能力，並培養韌性。只要擁有正確的心態和方法，我們就能不斷提升和重新定義自我。與其追求立竿見影的效果，不如採取循序漸進、持之以恆的方法，這才是更有效的途徑。