When did you last have a good stretch?

You might be reading this article after spending a long day sitting in front of the computer. Perhaps it’s about time you got up and had a good stretch to loosen those tight muscles before going any further . . .

We all know it’s a good idea to physically stretch ourselves on a regular basis to prevent our body becoming rigid but how many of us remember to do some mental stretching as well. Your brain can also suffer from thinking and acting in the same ways for too long.

I like to think of the human brain as being like a balloon . . . no, I don’t mean it’s full of hot air! Your brain is like a balloon because once stretched it never goes back to exactly the same shape and size as it was before. The reality is many of us don’t stretch ourselves mentally as often as we should and as a result we end up stuck in our comfort zone.

What zone are you living in?
I believe we all have a choice about what zone we live in. So which of the following zones do you spend most of your time in?

Comfort zone
Your comfort zone can be a really nice place to
be . . . sometimes. The problem is that if you spend too long in your comfort zone it actually gets smaller so you become comfortable with fewer and fewer things. Remember, your comfort zone has a thick wall around it that’s designed to keep danger out, but it also keeps excitement out!

Stretch zone
Step outside your comfort zone a bit and you reach the stretch zone, a place where you leave behind familiar things and take a few chances. You might not always know what you are doing but the rewards of trying something new are worth the discomfort. The stretch zone is a place you should visit on a regular basis to keep your mind active.

Panic zone
When you take a big step out of your comfort zone you can find yourself in the panic zone. The risks are bigger but so are the rewards. Unfortunately when most people find themselves in the panic zone they run straight back to their comfort zone instead of persevering, working through the scary bits and making their way to the final zone...

Freedom zone
Once you have made it through the panic zone there is something great waiting on the other side. In fact, your freedom zone doesn’t really have an outer edge, more like a flexible, dotted line. The freedom zone represents the idea that once you have conquered a particularly difficult growth phase you actually become free of fear and able to move onto bigger and better things.

The symbolic stretch
So how do you move from comfort to freedom? I believe it’s all in the “symbolic stretch”.  You need to find a way to stretch yourself that symbolises something important to you and gives you a great sense of satisfaction. It is amazing what can happen when you conquer something that has been holding you back.

Let me give you an example . . .

My symbolic stretch was learning to drive a manual car. I’d had a driver’s license for a number of years but had never learnt to drive a manual. In fact, I had avoided learning to do it and it was becoming embarrassing to have to admit to people that I couldn’t do what everyone else considered a basic skill. Eventually I found myself in a situation where the only vehicle I had available to use was a Toyota Hilux 4WD ute (manual, of course) so I was forced to stretch myself and learn to drive it. It took a while and involved a few embarrassing moments including stalling at lights, kangaroo hops and crunching gears, but I did it! The feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I had really stretched myself was amazing. Since conquering that mental block I have gone on to try lots of other new things including learning to ride a horse and stand up comedy!

My challenge to you
So when was the last time you got out of your comfort zone and had a good “mental stretch”? My challenge to you is to find your symbolic stretch and take some serious steps towards achieving it. It doesn’t matter what it is. In fact, your symbolic stretch could seem quite trivial to others. That’s not the point. What matters is that it is important to you!

As you find yourself battling the desire to return to your comfort zone, remember that old saying . . . “most minds don’t wear out, they rust out”.

Karen Schmidt from Let’s Grow! is an award winning speaker, workshop leader and facilitator who is on a mission to grow managers into engaging leaders. Contact her on 0411 745 430 or visit www.letsgrow.com.au