My computer science classes in University were so overwhelming. I would look at the syllabus and I had no idea how I was going to get all that work done within the next four months. I was completely in over my head. The only reason that I went ahead with the class is that I looked at my peers who had passed it last term and thought to myself. Well, if they did it I guess I’ll figure it out. By the end of each term after I finish my final exam or hand in the final project I think to myself… Well, that wasn’t so bad. It turns out that I “grew” through the term.
How many of us continue to put ourselves in situations where we are over our head after we finish school? My guess is, not many. I suspect that this is why many people aren’t growing.
“Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow will get better” – John C. Maxwell
So many people wish that their problems were smaller, when really we should be working on making ourselves bigger than our problems.
The question is, how can we get in over our head and avoid total disaster.
We all have a “gift zone” and a “comfort zone”. When we are out of our gift zone and also out of our comfort zone then it will lead to catastrophe. However, when we are in our gift zone as well as in our comfort zone it leads to coasting. We cannot grow if we are comfortable.
Sometime people will attend an event or read an inspiring story and they decide to take a risk and do something different. However, they may be a little too ambitious and they step out of their “gift zone”. Since they are unable to do what they are setting out to do, they become discouraged and go back to what they know. The problem was not that they were uncomfortable, it was that they were not gifted in the area that they ventured to.
The key to growth is being out of your comfort zone but staying in your gift zone. Take risks and do things that you can do but are not comfortable doing. That is when you get creative. That is when you solve problems. That is when you grow.
