Get Out of Your

Comfort Zone

Most people don’t relish the opportunity to put

themselves
and others into uncomfortable situations. Tim
Haggstrom is a bit different in that he makes his living
doing it. You see, Tim’s job is taking people up on
highelements
ropes courses so that they can embrace their
innermost fears and anxieties while suspended
anywhere
between thirty to fi fty feet above the ground. The
outdoor
challenge exercises he facilitates—each designed to
promote
personal growth and development—get people to
stretch beyond their comfort zones and serve as the
impetus
for positive behavioral change.
Tim is a fi rm believer that behaviors don’t change if
you
keep doing exactly what you’ve always done and
remain in
an insulated environment. This has direct implications
for
regrets. For instance, if you always stay in your
comfort
zone, how can you grow and reach your full potential?
In addition, failing to get out of your comfort zone may
consequently make you risk averse and lead to the
regret of
feeling stifl ed, complacent, or bored with life.
On the other hand, getting out of your comfort zone
can be a scary experience. But Tim would reaffi rm
that
looking fear in the face is the only way to truly grow,
gain
genuine self-awareness, and see real behavior change.
So what does all this look like in application? Envision
yourself climbing a thirty-foot telephone pole. Next
you
have to slowly raise your body until you are in a
standing
position on top of the pole—remember, it’s a long way
down. Your fi nal challenge is to leap off the pole into
midair
and try to ring a bell that is hanging just out of reach
in
front of you. Although you are tethered by safety ropes
the
entire time, rest assured that most people are still
scared
to death!
Participating in such an initiative may bring up a
number
of issues depending upon the individual, the most
ob vious being a fear of heights. But beyond that,
some
powerful metaphors can be derived from each
experience,
many of which have direct tie-ins to dealing with
previous
regrets in life. In this case the metaphors might be
“making the long climb to get to the top,” “struggling
to
get over the edge” (once you’re almost at the top),
and
“taking a leap of faith.” By subsequently debriefi ng
these
issues after each ropes course activity, participants
are able
to acknowledge their fears and regrets as well as
develop
plans for moving forward.
While Tim’s role is to facilitate personal challenge ex -
periences that get others out of their comfort zones,
he
also is adamant about walking his talk and regularly
putting
himself through similar regimens to ensure he’s come
to terms with his lingering fears and past regrets in
life.
“At least once a year I make sure I really scare the
crap out
of myself,” Tim says with full sincerity. “Last year it
was
extreme kayaking, the two years before that it was
skydiving
and rock climbing, and prior to that it was hot air
ballooning, scuba diving, and hang gliding.” Tim
admits
that currently he is focused on becoming a better
public
speaker, which in his opinion is the most terrifying
thing
he’s ever done.
Getting out of your comfort zone gives you the
opportunity
to gain greater self-awareness and work through
your past regrets. Realize that dealing with your fears
is
the key to producing behavioral change, whether on a
ropes course or in real life. Take the initiative to face
your
demons and be cognizant of how you react. What do
you
notice about yourself ? What can you learn from the
experience?
Get out of your comfort zone and see a new side
of you.