Our Comfort Zone Is Not Our Confirmed Zone

Sometimes it is good to be in uncomfortable circumstances because it is in finding our way out of such difficulties that we learn valuable lessons.

Author: Iribagiza Patience

We are so accustomed to comfort that we don't realize that when we stop doing things for ourselves while expect others push us, we are not achieving greatness. We have made ourselves weak.

Well, well! Let me tell you a story about my colleague who had a job working as a salesperson in a small business and wanted to start her own business. She was okay with her salary but she felt it was not enough for her demands.

She sat down with me and shared all she wants to do and how. I was really impressed with the thought that she really wanted to take a risk and explore the outcomes. One sure thing was, she really knew her next steps.

The next day talking to her, she had changed her mind. She was like,” what if I don’t make it when I quit my job?” what if it’s more risky than getting my little salary. Hmmm!

One thing I realized is how we fear change. And fearing change makes us choose to stay in our comfort zones.

We think that if we allow change, we will lose even the little we had which is the status. On the other hand we are terrified by the fear of the unknown. We conclude there is no reward in it.

It was hard changing her mind at the moment, trying to convince her how successful she can be if she gave it a shot. At some point, I never felt how was until I found myself in similar situation.

I had three documentations that needed to be approved by different institutions. Two documents that needed to be approved, needed the third document which I didn't have yet.

This I had no any other way of having it besides the institution's word which was to wait until the document is ready. Have you ever got in the middle things when you have no way of moving forward or even quitting?

I had planned everything in my hand. One mistake would have crashed everything I had. Sitting still and just waiting for what will come my way was a one way of surrendering to be stress free. So, I thought! And that’s how we always lie to ourselves.

I don't like to remind someone to do something that they know they have to do for me. When I was thinking of how to go about it, I was like” what if I push her and she decides not to give me what I need when it’s even my right”, “what if she does but it creates bias for any other service that I will need next time”.

Given that she was powerful, I hesitated. And on other side I was like am I going to lose such opportunity because of this. In a few seconds, my mind would be like,” anyway, I did my part, I just have to wait” but another side of mine would say “no way I have to push till I get it”.

My mind was in a dilemma like Nelly’s song featuring Kelly Rowland. Hah! I couldn’t sleep well though! I later decided to push until I got what I wanted.

I wondered why I never did that before but good enough it was still valuable at the moment. That was my situation at the moment.

I had to tell myself that what I was doing was much bigger than me. My last thing to do was praying for God's favor to cover me and use everyone to give me what I needed.

Later I decided to message the person to approve the very document that was needed and good enough I got a chance to meet her at her office and promised she will have a few consultations then get back to me.

I waited until I had to send another email requesting for a written approval that was mandatory. The only thing that was on my mind was being replaced by another partner in case I don’t meet the deadline. Which was close.

I had no hope I would make it on time. I told myself “kama mbaya mbaya” a common Swahili slang that means “no matter what” I have to get this done.

I had to go there again and remember we are in partial lockdown and the numbers of coronavirus cases are a bit high. This meant that you cannot go straight to someone’s office unless you have an appointment and he or she has to meet you at the gate.

I was in a risk zone, going somewhere that I know I won’t get the service I wanted. But I went anyway and lucky enough, I met her at the gate heading out and I told her my problem until she told me whom else to send the email to.

I went back to my office and I did what she advised me to do. The struggle continued to keep on reminding her until she promised to do it. The day was ending and got the approval via the email almost midnight.

Quoting Dhaval Gaudier,” the only thing that is stopping you from where you are, to where you want to go is your comfort zone”.

When I feel like I am getting to my comfort zone I tell myself “please don’t let me down”. For that, I feel like I own myself to step out and move to my strength zone. I don’t stop encouraging myself .

I believe any one reading this too can and should step out of their comfort zones to strength zone, move on zone, never give up zone which are the confirmed zones.