Just a thought: Breaking the Zone

We all have been there at some point. We're about to learn something new, and we feel lost, unsure of what to do next, or scared to fail (especially if others are watching). We remember that ugly feeling from our early school years, and we don't want to relive it, so we avoid new learning, embarrassing situations, and the danger of leaving our secure zone. All these thoughts obscure our learning moments, and I call this "breaking the zone" behavior.

Let's add some data about where this idea comes from. In 1907, Robert Yerkes and John Dodson conducted a series of tests in which a mouse tried to navigate a maze. They found that the mice became more motivated to complete the maze under a certain level of stress, but after a certain point, that stress built up to the point where the mice began to hide. This generated a fear factor that built stress into the mice's exploration of the unknown, and at some point, with no guidance or rewards, their dopamine levels dropped so drastically that they became paralyzed by fear, which we can easily describe as panic. This study helped us understand that although there is a high risk of panic while exploring the unknown, there is also a "sweet spot" of stress that generates a drive forward, despite our basic instincts of fear.

Humans have a special skill that allows us to face our fears and thrive in the unknown, beyond what any other living being can do. This skill is what I call "focused mindset." Focus is the ability to pay attention to one thing and ignore distractions. Although we often think of focus as something that comes naturally to all humans, it is actually a skill that we learn in our early years of education. With practice, we can improve our focus skills, which will lead to stronger neural connections and mastery.

A focused mindset is essential for thriving outside of our comfort zone. As Judith Bardwick describes in her 1995 book, Danger in the Comfort Zone, right outside our comfort zone lies the fear zone. Without enough focus and drive towards our goals, we can experience fear paralysis. Even worse, this can happen within our comfort zone, without even having to leave it.

Once we face the fear zone, we often face a natural response that can act as a distractor of our current exploration towards something new, these distractors can take the shape of excuses as logical-reasons to give up and return, they can be external opinions about those who ratter avoid the fear zone and often it can manifest an impostor syndrome that will aim to attack our self-confidence in order to cease and desist. Here is when is important for us to remain focused and thrive forth avoiding or ignoring these distractions that are preventing us from reaching the learning and growth zones that await beyond our fears.

“The need for challenge, the need to burst through the constrictions of tasks and situations already seen and mastered, can affect anyone, even those enjoying the greatest gains from success.” - Judith M. Bardwick

Today, more than ever before, with technological advancements and constant job market changes that require new technical skills, our professional development must be approached as an ongoing process that enables us to stay current and relevant in our industries. This will require that we do not wait for change to impact our comfort zone, but instead act as change management advocates and constantly, at all levels of professional and personal life, adopt a "breaking the zone" mindset so that we can proactively learn, challenge our fears, and grow.

A personal anecdote, breaking the zone:

A few months ago, I decided to learn to play golf. For anyone who didn't start playing in their single-digits years of age, golf can take weeks or even months of dedication and practice to learn the basics of a swing. Despite reading, watching videos, and even taking group and private lessons, four months later, I still struggle with the distracting thoughts of missing and failing when I stand in front of the ball and get ready to swing.

However, since day one, when I decided to learn to play, I disregarded the many years of telling myself, "Don't do it because it's too expensive, too difficult, too social, or too stereotyped." Instead, I focused on exposing myself to something that I would have to learn from scratch, that would take me out of my comfort zone (literally outside of my safe post-pandemic shelter, aka my PC gaming room). Exposing myself to situations like this has always helped me be a bit more confortable with change, making it easier to be the one driving and looking for new things instead of waiting for life to decide in my behalf. This sport has taught me in such a short term to focus in improving, in being patient and built an excitement beyond the fears of failure with the opportunity for a reward to see small improvements of my skill in action every time I got to the driving range.

Yes, that's right, I'm still at the driving range stage, but I'll get there. To the course. Soon.

A few references for this article:

• https://mcgovern.mit.edu/2019/03/14/ask-the-brain-how-does-the-brain-focus/
• https://www.simplypsychology.org/what-is-the-yerkes-dodson-law.html
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/tips-to-improve-concentration
• https://www.getabstract.com/en/summary/danger-in-the-comfort-zone/1620