The Real Courage Isn’t in Leaving Your Comfort Zone, But in Expanding It

This post in the PM Career Insights Series answers the question regarding finding the courage to step out of your comfort zone.

Have you ever felt stuck in your career, knowing you need to make a change but fearing what lies ahead? Or perhaps you’ve hesitated to take on a new project because it felt too risky? Stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial for growth, but it’s also one of the most challenging things to do. In my mentoring sessions with Product Managers (PMs), a question that comes up frequently is, “Where do you find the courage to push beyond your comfort zone? How do you handle the discomfort? Have you ever feared failure?” This post will explore these concerns and offer strategies for finding the courage to embrace new challenges, drawing on my own experiences as well.

Finding Courage

Recognize the Benefits—Of Staying Within Reach of Your Comfort Zone

Courage often starts with understanding the rewards that lie beyond your current boundaries. For me, leaving my hometown to attend university was one of the most uncomfortable steps I’ve ever taken. My father didn’t want me to leave, and as an introvert who had never traveled beyond Islamabad, the idea of moving to a new city was terrifying. I was so attached to my home that even on family outings, I would ask to return home because I missed it. But I knew I had to push myself out of my comfort zone because I had a goal: to do something bigger than myself.

When I was in first grade, my school principal’s mother once told my mother, “Your son is quiet yet patient and curious. One day he will become something.” This prediction, like the words of a seer, was something my parents and family kept reminding me of as I grew up. I wanted to prove her right, make my family proud, and lift us out of poverty. By focusing on these long-term benefits, I found the courage to take that difficult first step away from home.

Later in my career, after becoming a founding PM for Kahoot! at Work and Corporate Learning and being the go-to person for all things corporate learning by 2022, I could have easily stayed in that role. The position was secure, and I had built a strong reputation. However, I wanted to learn more about Artificial Intelligence and work on the cutting edge of AI. The thought of leaving a role where I was established and respected was daunting. But I recognized that to continue growing, I needed to step out of my comfort zone once again and join Microsoft. This decision was driven by my desire to continually grow and challenge myself, even though it meant leaving a well-established role. Recognizing the long-term benefits of gaining new skills and experiences can help you muster the courage to embrace change.

Break It Down—Big Leaps Are Overrated

Large, daunting tasks can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down into smaller, actionable steps can make them more manageable. When I first transitioned from an engineering background to a role in digital marketing, I had to learn SEO and digital marketing from scratch. By setting small, achievable goals—like mastering one aspect of SEO at a time—I was able to gradually build my knowledge and confidence. Each small victory along the way made the overall challenge feel more manageable, proving that progress, no matter how incremental, is key to overcoming larger obstacles.

People often underestimate how the small risks you take every day can compound over time to expand your horizons. Each small step I took in learning a new skill didn’t seem significant on its own, but over time, these accumulated to significantly broaden my comfort zone. This compounding effect is key to sustainable growth.

Build a Support System—Because You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can be a game-changer. When my CEO at LiveAdmins offered me the job to lead the sales team after successfully building a marketing team from scratch, I was terrified. Up until that point, I had never closed a single sale using outbound calls. The sales team consisted of 7 or 8 very senior salespeople, each making 200 outbound calls per day and earning six to seven times what I was making. They were 10 years older, had families, and were much more experienced. I was 25 at the time.

I remember asking my CEO, “But Farrakh Bhai, how can I do it? I don’t have experience.” He responded, “I see you as a leader, and I think you’ll be fine.” By sharing my fears and doubts, I opened up to my mentor and support network, allowing them to help me. Their belief in my ability to succeed gave me the confidence to step into this new role, despite my lack of experience. This support was crucial in helping me overcome my fears and take on a challenge that ultimately helped me grow in ways I hadn’t imagined.

What fears have held you back? Who in your network could help you overcome them? Building a support system not only provides guidance but also gives you the encouragement you need to face challenges head-on.

Develop a Growth Mindset—Without Ditching What You Know

Embracing a growth mindset means viewing challenges not as tests but as opportunities to learn and develop. This perspective was crucial when I joined Kahoot! during its early growth phase. The challenges were significant, but I viewed each one as a learning opportunity that would help me grow both personally and professionally. This mindset helped me reframe obstacles as chances to innovate, rather than barriers to success. By shifting my perspective, I became more resilient and open to taking on new challenges, knowing that each experience, whether a success or a failure, was a valuable lesson in itself.

Accept the Possibility of Failure—But Don’t Romanticize It

Failure is an inevitable part of growth. When I co-founded Diffia, I was stepping into a completely new industry—health tech—with no prior experience. I knew there was a significant risk of failure, but I also understood that the potential for learning and growth was immense. Accepting that failure is possible—and even likely in some cases—frees you from the paralyzing fear of making mistakes. Instead, you can focus on what you can learn from the experience.

At Diffia, I faced numerous challenges related to product development and navigating a highly regulated industry. Despite our best efforts, the company’s direction and my vision began to diverge, leading me to make the difficult decision to step away. It was a tough choice, but one that taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, market alignment, and the importance of shared vision in a startup. These lessons proved to be critical in my later roles, particularly when I faced similar challenges at Kahoot! and needed to guide the company through complex integrations and product expansions.

How could stepping out of your comfort zone today change your tomorrow? Sometimes, taking that risk, despite the possibility of failure, is what ultimately leads to the most significant growth.

Dealing with Discomfort

Practice Mindfulness—To Expand Comfort, Not Escape It

Discomfort is a natural part of stepping out of your comfort zone. Practicing mindfulness can help you stay grounded during these moments. For example, during the intense experience of the MIT Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, where we worked 20-hour days, I found that taking brief moments to breathe and reflect helped me manage the stress and stay focused on the task at hand. This simple practice can prevent your emotions from overwhelming you and enable you to approach challenges with clarity and calmness.

Whether it’s deep breathing, meditation, or simply taking a moment to pause, find a mindfulness practice that works for you.

Reframe Your Thoughts—Discomfort Isn’t the Enemy

The way you talk to yourself matters. During my time at Telenor Digital, where I was involved in cutting-edge projects and innovation, there were moments when the challenges seemed insurmountable. By reframing my thoughts—seeing these challenges as opportunities to innovate rather than obstacles—I was able to maintain a positive outlook and push through the discomfort. By changing the internal narrative, you can transform fear into excitement and possibility, turning challenges into stepping stones toward success.

Gradual Exposure—Don’t Dive In, Wade In

Tackling discomfort head-on doesn’t always mean diving into the deep end. Gradual exposure can be just as effective. When I transitioned to Microsoft and took on the role of Product Strategy Manager in a new domain, I didn’t jump in blindly. I waded in, gradually immersing myself in the new technologies and methodologies. This approach allowed me to build confidence over time, reducing anxiety and making what once felt intimidating, achievable. Gradual exposure can be an effective strategy for dealing with discomfort, as it allows you to adapt at a pace that feels manageable.

Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Reflect on the Experience—Without Glorifying Failure

After a failed project, it’s tempting to move on quickly without looking back. However, taking the time to reflect is crucial. For instance, after parting ways with Diffia due to differing visions, I took the time to analyze what I could have done differently and what I learned from the experience. This reflection helped me make more informed decisions in my subsequent roles. I’ve found that journaling these thoughts helps to solidify the lessons learned and provides a reference point for future challenges, ensuring that past experiences contribute to future successes.

Don’t Dwell on It—Use It to Expand, Not Retreat

While reflection is important, it’s equally crucial not to dwell on your failures. After making the difficult decision to leave Diffia, where I had invested significant time and energy into building the company, I could have easily become stuck in regret. However, I chose to focus on the lessons learned rather than what might have been. The departure from Diffia was challenging—it was a project I was deeply passionate about, and walking away felt like a personal setback. But instead of letting it define my trajectory, I quickly shifted my focus to exploring new opportunities that aligned better with my long-term goals.

One such opportunity was with Kahoot!, which at the time was a relatively small company with big ambitions. The decision to join Kahoot! allowed me to apply the lessons I had learned at Diffia in a new context. It reinforced the importance of agility and the need to align personal and company visions. By not dwelling on the past, I was able to fully immerse myself in a new challenge, contributing to Kahoot!’s growth and success. Remember, failure is not the end but a step along the way. Acknowledge it, learn from it, and then shift your focus to the next challenge.

Apply What You’ve Learned—To Safely Expand Your Comfort Zone

The experiences at Diffia taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, product development, and the importance of a strong go-to-market strategy. When I joined Kahoot!, I applied these insights to help the company navigate its own growth challenges. For instance, one of the key lessons from Diffia was the importance of aligning product development with market demand. At Kahoot!, this insight helped shape the development of Kahoot! 360, a product designed to meet the specific needs of enterprise customers.

Additionally, the experience of managing multiple roles at Diffia—from product strategy to sales—prepared me for the multifaceted challenges I would face at Kahoot!. I leveraged the skills I had honed at Diffia to lead significant initiatives at Kahoot!, such as the launch of Kahoot! Courses and the development of the Kahoot! Marketplace. These projects were successful not only because of the lessons learned at Diffia but also because I was able to apply those lessons in a new, more suitable environment.

One of the most significant applications of these lessons was during the post-acquisition integration of two enterprise SaaS firms at Kahoot!. The challenges of integrating different teams, technologies, and cultures were familiar, thanks to my experience at Diffia. By applying what I had learned about managing complex projects and navigating organizational dynamics, I was able to lead these integrations successfully, ultimately contributing to Kahoot!’s accelerated growth in the enterprise segment.

Redefining Your Comfort Zone Is the Real Challenge

Stepping out of your comfort zone is not a one-time act of bravery but an ongoing process that requires continuous effort. It’s natural to feel fear and discomfort, but these can be managed with the right mindset and strategies. Remember that growth often happens at the edge of your comfort zone. Embrace challenges with courage and an open mind, and use each experience as a stepping stone towards greater personal and professional fulfillment. Whether you’re a seasoned PM or just starting out, take a moment to reflect on your own comfort zones and consider where you might take your next bold step. The path to growth is often lined with uncertainty, but it’s also filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve more than you ever imagined.