Recently I came across a definition of the term ‘comfort zone.’ It described it as wasteland-a barren field. A place of stagnation. A place where growth is stunted. That’s what a comfort zone is. Wherever in this world people have succeeded and achieved great things, they were all those who broke out of their comfort zones. They were the ones who stepped out of it with courage.
In forests the thick branches of large trees often fall over smaller plants. As a result, those small plants don’t get enough sunlight. And naturally they don’t grow the way they are meant to. So what does a good gardener do if he wants these small plants to grow and thrive? He cuts off the overhanging branches of the big tree. He clears the way, loosens the soil, waters them, and adds fertilizer.
While loosening the soil, some well-established roots may get disturbed. The soil that felt so secure gets shaken. That’s when the plant feels the urge to survive, to stand firm. It begins its journey toward growth by absorbing water and nutrients again-this time, stronger and more aware.
This is exactly what must happen in our lives too.
There may be towering structures over our lives-home, parents, workplace, and many such comforts. Staying under their shade feels good. There are no disturbances or difficulties. But because of that, we don’t grow.
Some people shrink themselves under the banner of institutions. Some institutions mold people into a particular shape. There are those who are known only because of the place they worked. After spending the best part of their lives serving that institution, they walk out one day with nothing. They leave without ever being able to establish an identity of their own.
If a person wants to be known for their own abilities, if they want to pursue their dreams, goals, and desires, they need to cut away the overhanging branches above them and step out.
But stepping out of the comfort zone is not easy-and surviving outside it is even harder. Still, if one truly wants to succeed in life and express their abilities, there’s no choice but to leave the comfort zone-that barren wasteland-behind.
