How to get out of your comfort-zone (like a designer)

I’m moving flats soon. I’ve lived in East London for the last 5 years. Sure, I did move a year ago — to a flat 10 minutes away.

Given this, I’ve maintained a similar routine. Same friends, coffee shops, workout gym, hair stylist etc. While these aspects of life seem mundane, I didn’t realize how much of a comfort zone I was in till I started looking for a flat again.

Naively, I figured I could continue living alone in Shoreditch — if I just looked for a place hard enough. Unfortunately, I realized that I would need to pay?more?to live in a?worse?flat — if I wanted to stay in the same area.

After viewing a windowless, dilapidated basement in Bethnal Green, I knew it was time for change. But why was I so scared? Why was I so attached to living in the same area for the rest of time? After all, a man threatened to kill and eat someone outside my flat (yes, really) only a few days ago.

As a designer, I have also been scared to make big changes. In the past, I used to be reluctant to question the status quo. Every time I did it anyways, even when I was scared, that’s always when I’ve made the most impact.

Should I really be more?assertive?in the meeting? Should I really?question?how we document components in the design system? Should we?really make that big design change, instead of doing tiny A/B tests for the rest of time?

How this applies to you…

When I ask myself questions that make me afraid or uncomfortable, I have found that I’m usually onto something. Anything significant that I have accomplished within the last couple of years has always caused me to experience that little voice of doubt…

“Is this really a good idea?”

To figure out if it is, I tend to ask myself a simple question to go a bit deeper…

Is my current situation serving my interests? What are my interests?

If you’re interested in living in a quiet and safe area, with cheaper rent, maybe living in a neighbourhood further out might be in your best interest, for instance.

This week…

I challenge you to think about what your best interests are longer-term. Is that risk you’re too scared to take less scary than your current situation?