The Risk of Playing It Safe in Your Career

What do your favourite restaurant, go-to holiday destination, and career have in common?

Your comfort zone probably has something to do with it.

Every week, we talk to candidates wrestling with the same dilemma: Should I take the leap? Should I leave my comfort zone and explore the unknown?

Let’s start with something simple—your favourite restaurant.

Imagine sticking to the same spot every time you eat out. It’s decent, dependable, and you’ve never felt the need to try somewhere new. You’re content, sure. But are you missing out on something even better? How would you know if you don’t look beyond the menu you already know?

Now, picture your favourite holiday destination.

Those blissful days on the same sandy beach, cocktail (or mocktail) in hand. Perfection, right? But if you’ve always gone back to the same place, are you sure there’s nowhere else out there that could top it?

In both cases, it’s easier to stick with what you know. The stakes are low, so a bit of curiosity might nudge you to try something new. But when it comes to big decisions—like a career change—it’s a different story.

So, why is it so hard to leave your comfort zone?

It comes down to a psychological quirk called loss aversion . We’re wired to avoid potential losses more than we chase potential gains. The bigger the stakes, the harder it is to take the plunge.

This is why you’ll risk trying a new restaurant, hesitate over a new holiday destination, and agonise over a new job opportunity. Your brain places extra value on what you already have—your “Swiss chocolate bar”—over something unknown, even if the unknown could be better.

We’re not suggesting you abandon your favourite haunts or skip the annual trip to the Canary Islands. But it’s worth remembering: your comfort zone might not always serve you best when it comes to your career.

The next time you’re weighing up a new opportunity, remind yourself that your brain is wired to play it safe—even when the rewards could be worth the risk.

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