Beyond the Comfort Zone

Are you tired of staying in your comfort zone and craving to explore new horizons? Let's break the monotony and expand our horizons by stepping out of our comfort zone. After all, the magic happens when we push ourselves beyond what we know and try something new. So, are you ready to take the leap?

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SPEAKER_01 0:01

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Mindset Spot. Today we're going to have a very, very interesting conversation on a topic like no other called Beyond the Comfort Zone. And why this topic in the first place? It is a topic that actually, as the famous saying goes, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. And so welcome to the Beyond Comfort, where we are going to explore the power of embracing challenges. And I'm joined by my co-host Daniel. Daniel, how are you? Welcome again to this conversation.

SPEAKER_00 0:36

Well, I'm excited to be here. And um, today we're talking about beyond the comfort zone, and just expect the unexpected as we delve into this topic.

SPEAKER_01 0:46

Excellent. Expect the unexpected as we dive into this topic of beyond the comfort zone, where we are going to explore today the power of embracing new challenges. The host, the two of us, myself and my co-host Daniel, are going to take you through this conversation, diving into perspectives and insights, and having interactions with you to discover how stepping beyond what family can transform our lives. So, afo, let's start off with somebody listening. What is a comfort zone? And why do we have to talk about this at this time? Why is it important?

SPEAKER_00 1:24

So, yeah, I think that just in a simple answer, a comfort zone is a safe space, I could say, an environment where you feel comforted and where you feel quote unquote at home. And the reason why we need to talk about this is because although comfort zones are great and we're biologically equipped to stay within our comfort zone and psychologically that's where we want to stay. But in order to grow, sometimes we need to leave that comfort zone to search for new endeavors, which can then benefit us. But we need to learn how to escape our comfort sometimes and step into the forest of upper absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

I think that's that's a very important point that you're bringing up. Yeah. So a comfort zone, as you're putting it, is a psychological state where things feel familiar and safe. But a lot of people today uh are in those kinds of state, and it is a natural evolutionary response to minimize risks and stress, and therefore staying there limits growth and it also limits new experiences, which is a very uh important aspect to discuss because when people are in their comfort zone, then definitely any other thing that is new looks to them like a threat. And then that now takes me into this point, which I would like to hear from you. So, what do you think hold people back? To better put it, how can staying in our comfort zone hold us back? Yeah, what is happening with this mentality of comfortability?

SPEAKER_00 2:50

Yeah, I think that our comfort zone, although it's great sometimes to have a safe space, it can hold us back because then it makes us scared of new opportunities, and that can lead to us just remaining in the same place and not growing well that potenti professionally, psychologically, academically, and yeah, like for example, let's say you get like a really good offer to go to a school and it's like really far away, but you got a full ride to it. And uh, then if you're afraid of moving away far because you're afraid of leaving your friends, your family, even though you have a full ride to this school, then you're going to limit yourself from opportunities solely because of the distance when even they're paying for even like your dorm and everything. And another example of that is with a job. Let's say you got an offer to a job, but you're afraid of leaving your family. And um, however, this job you know that's gonna provide economic and social benefits for yourself and your family. You just need to, and that's within your comfort zone to stay back, but to unleash your full potential, sometimes you need to escape your comfort zone and go beyond that safe space.

SPEAKER_01 3:56

That's a good point. And now, as we're speaking, uh, thanks, all of you who are joining in. You're joining in today's conversation beyond the comfort zone. And please share ideas as you watch and listen and sit back as we have this conversation with all of you. Yes, Afu, we are speaking now when there are people who have gotten up and have not fixed their bed. Yes, because they love comfort. Some of them are not even getting up, they're still under their blanket. Yes, they love comfort. They even want tea to be served in front of their beds, they even want others to bring a toothbrush and they a tooth pairs to brush their teeth. Don't you think that the mentality of comfortability is retarding people and making them to lose opportunities?

SPEAKER_00 4:38

I think that it depends, but in most cases, I think that comfort is the main purpose because some people who are living in situations that are quote unquote subpar, some of the reasons why, despite other uh macro challenges that we can discuss in other issues, but sometimes on a micro scale, it's um down to us because when we look at it, we can think that, oh, maybe it's the government that's not providing me with this, maybe it's not that. But they'll be like, why aren't you searching for a job? Why aren't you using Indeed? Because it's too hard. I don't want to do all of that. So that kind of links back to the comfort zone mentality because I personally know some people who are asking me if my job is hiring, and no problem with asking that, but just go on, just go, just go on whatever website.com, go on nd.com, go on wherever I work.com. Like it's not that difficult, but because of some comfort, some people just love comfort too much. They'd rather me be like, can you give your can you give your manager my resume? Can you come into work and give my manager your resume?

SPEAKER_01 5:44

Like right. So that is a good point, which then means that we've met the attitude of feeling comfortable, over shadow, our thinking that you must endure short-term pain for long-term gain. Do you think that people are not told the truth to understand that you cannot be able to get comfort without having to be uncomfortable in the first place? We must become uncomfortable before we can become comfortable.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

Yeah, that's 100% correct. And I think that for us, sometimes we just think about what's currently in front of us rather than putting on our glasses and seeing into the future a little bit. And if we lead without comfort for a little bit, then I'm almost certain that comfort will be in your near future. Because let's say you're debating whether to go into post-secondary or not, you may be somebody who has those ambitions, but the only way you can achieve it through some sort of post-secondary training. And if part of you is like, no, I'll just start working, uh, I don't want to do it. Um, and then the other half of you is like, I want to do it, but it's gonna take so much time, that time will still pass whether you do it or not. So by facing a small amount of uncomfortability, then I think that we'll be able to be collectively comfortable as we've gone through those stages. So short-term pain, long-term gain, as long as you just stay focused.

SPEAKER_01 7:16

Very good point. Very good point. And we must always be reminded because reminding, remaining, we must be reminded that remaining in the comfort zone will result in missed opportunities, both personal and professional. And it can even lead to stagnation and prevent us from reaching our full potential. It therefore means that if we want to be comfortable without becoming uncomfortable, it is actually a pathway for retrogression because you cannot be able to do something tangible, to do something that can be able to bring transformational change without enduring some uncomfortability. And so the best way for us to move forward and succeed is to move beyond the comfort zone. And the comfort zone has actually destroyed a lot of people from the perspective that they would then expect and want others to do it for them. And now for so the point now is do you think the attitude of comfortability without becoming uncomfortable has actually enhanced this uh uh victimhood mentality of materialism and hand acts and dependency that we see in so many spaces in the world today?

SPEAKER_00 8:30

Yeah, I think that you're um 100% correct with that, because sometimes we just try to find every other reason to blame our failure rather than looking at what's in the mirror. And I think that without thoroughly analyzing what we're going through, that can lead to um a stepping stone, mountain blocks full of failure, because sometimes we have to be self-aware and understand the truth, whether we like it or not. Let's say you're not doing as well as you expected in a subject, and you are finding every way, oh, the teacher's a hard marker, this, this, and that. Is it maybe true that the teacher is a hard marker? It may be true that for let's just use the example of English, it may not be your subject, but despite all of those external factors, it all comes down to internal because realistically, throughout those experiences, let's just say is quote unquote the teacher, throughout those 20 years, the teacher's teaching, people probably did well in their class. So despite their quirks, I'm sure that you can still find a way to excel. And that's not only within the academic space. Let's say you have a job that's um a job uh manager who's quote unquote, let's just use the term quirky. You can find you can navigate your way throughout the quirks rather than just complaining 25-8.

SPEAKER_01 9:45

25-8. This time around, not 24-7, but 25-8. I love that. That is uh quite very, very important. I think we can see Masmonda from Zambia saying, You're right, read it a fool.

SPEAKER_00 9:57

You're right, comfort zone brings out a lot of challenges. An example I can give here is myself. I'm scared of working um abroad as a nurse because I feel like my family here in Zambia will be difficult for me to cope in the diaspora. Um, well, I think that if it's right for you, it's right for you. And uh if you go to the diaspora, good luck as your journey as a nurse. And if you stay back, just do what's best for you and make your decisions on your personal and professional growth rather than family members who um aren't going to contribute to as such.

SPEAKER_01 10:31

Yeah, that's that's the reality is that if you think that you are going to be uncomfortable and you want to stay in the comfort zone, you are going to have issues because comfort on its own, without having passed through uncomfortability, is a trap that will that will at some point make you uncomfortable. If you feel that you are comfortable somewhere, know that it's not the right place for you to be, especially at a young age, between the ages of zero to the ages of 50 and 55, nobody should be comfortable where he is. What I mean by that is that we must aim to do more, we must aim to move forward, we must aim to overcome challenges, we must understand that at least we're going to face obstacles and setbacks, but have that audacity to say even if I face obstacles, there will be stepping stones for me to step forward. And that is what it means. And therefore, to go beyond the comfort zone, we must then be able to prioritize one word which is focus, one word, which is discipline, one word which is determination, and that is quite very, very important. Now, for those of you who are joining in, I can see uh Apegia Zakaria saying good presentation and uh Valentine uh and uh Fama Issa, I see Richard, I see uh Abu and Bill and uh Valentine, Bill Johnson, all of you welcome, all of you who are joining in, welcome. Please share ideas. I can see a full uh Valentine asking from what you've said, why are there others addicted to dependency?

SPEAKER_00 12:10

Yeah, I think that you can take that question given your excellence and expertise within um Africa and everything that comes out.

SPEAKER_01 12:18

Yeah, the point is this uh the reality is that it is not a segment or a segmented group of people with a lot of dependencies. Before we cut off, before I think the internet went off for some time, and now it is back, and what I was saying is that it is very, very important to understand from the question that Valentine did ask that it is not just us, it is not a question of whether others are dependent, loving dependency or not, but the question should be why are we addicted to dependency as a people and as a tenant? And the reason is that we've not been taught that comfortability and feeling comfortable is actually not the best pathway towards progress. And therefore, because of absence of making us to understand that we don't need to depend on others to succeed, it then it's ingrained in everybody's DNA in this part of the world that even when you become a leader of your own country, you start to think that others must support you. Whereas if you rally your citizen, there is nothing wrong for others to support one another. It is okay. But the question is support for how long? And as you get support, can you use it to empower other people so that they can become self-sustaining? What we call self-reliance, and therefore, the reason why we are self-reliant, we are not to understand that that is how we're supposed to do things that we need to work hard and fend and fetch for ourselves opportunities. That is what I could say. I think there were challenges with the internet there, but we are cool. I can see a farmer say we must get out of our mindset, uh comfort zones, yes, and uh that is it. Uh, the other aspect that I think we need to move into now is this aspect that is very, very crucial. Afu, can you share a pivotal moment when you stepped out of your comfort zone and how it changed your life?

SPEAKER_00 15:22

Um, yeah, this feels like an interview question for a job, but you know, we'll answer it. It is. Anyways, so a pivotal moment where I stepped out of my comfort zone is approximately two years ago, I was entering high school. I got offers from three high school, actually, I got offers from multiple, I got offers from some boarding some date, but I chose to stay date because I didn't want to leave at 13. But like this, the I had three, and one of them was a different curriculum, which was a bit harder than the other ones. And to be honest, I didn't really want to do it at first because it seemed hard, and also on top of that, none of my friends were really going, and it was kind of far, so I didn't really want to be taking the bus like that. But um, my teacher recommended it, that the coordinator of the program recommended it, my parents recommended it, so I'll and I also had the option to not go, but last minute I chose to go, and uh, despite me being out of my comfort zone, and I didn't know anybody who was going there, and I thought I was gonna be really lonely and depressed going there, but I actually go there now, and I thought that, and I even had the option, like my parents said that if I didn't like it after six months, I could transfer, but I ended up really loving it, and I have a good community there, and I thought it was all gonna be just like a bunch of NPCs or like like not necessarily nurses, but I thought it was gonna be very dry. However, it's a very like community feeling, and it's a good combination of academics, athletics, and it still has that community feel. And uh, through that, if I didn't apply and I didn't accept it, who knows? Maybe I won't have been happy at the school I originally chose to go to.

SPEAKER_01 17:02

So, yeah, I think that's a very important point you are bringing up. That and I think that point I need to really build on it because it's very important. Sometimes the things we think we didn't get are actually blessings in disguise, and therefore, I encourage each and every one of you who is listening today. That job you've been afraid to apply, you've been ignoring to apply, apply today. Even if you are not taken or even call for interview, you lose nothing. That student or the community you've been thinking you can go and talk to them about environmental issues, go today and engage them and start. Even if they reject you, it's a lesson learned. What does this mean? Sometimes what you don't get is actually a blessing in disguise. So don't cry over spill me. There are more opportunities in front of you than behind, and therefore, looking behind is waste of time. And so, another aspect is that wherever you go, always give you a best. You can actually turn a wrong environment into a good environment. I think what you are saying, therefore, is quite very, very important that you go to a space without knowing people, but then you build a community there, you build family there, you build friendships there, and those friendships end up turning your life and making you even more comfortable anywhere you are today, right? And the point, therefore, is if you think where you did not end up, like I wanted to be a medical doctor, but I don't have any regrets in not being a medical doctor. Because what I undertook to do, I did it so well, and I'm doing it so well that I am not having any regrets. It therefore means that we must move beyond where we are and should never think that where we are and going is wrong. You can actually change a wrong space into a good space, and I think that is really a good point that you you you you brought up. And therefore, for those of you who are watching, please, we're discussing beyond the comfort zone. And today, this discussion is actually to showcase that each and every one of us have something to offer, and sometimes we regret and sit comfortable somewhere thinking that it's all ended. No, it's not, it's just starting, and so move forward to get some uh opportunities, even if it doesn't look comfortable. And so, as we say, this is very, very important because every journey is important. Now, before I hand over to you, I want to get your thoughts. How does stepping out of a comfort zone contribute to personal growth? What do you think? Because the reality is that it is it is in challenges that we learn, it is in challenges that we grow. And in moving out of the comfort zone challenges us to learn, challenges us to adapt, challenges us to overcome fear. And this ultimately leads us to increase our resilience and self-confidence. Do you think that this is a message that people are continuously getting, or this is the first time we're talking about this?

SPEAKER_00 20:03

I think that we definitely talked about this before, but I think that it's something that isn't being as talked about as it should be. And I think because comfort, although it's we all love comfort, I'm wearing sweats right now. We all love comfort, whether it's in our clothing or in our lifestyle, I think that we all love comfort. But within personal growth, I think stepping out of our comfort zone is very important because I'll use an athletic example. Let's say you um are scared to try out for, I don't know, the basketball team, but you and then you try out. Let's say you make it, you wouldn't have, you would have always been thinking, oh, what if I didn't make it, what if I made it and I didn't try out? But if you didn't make it, then you understand that, oh, I didn't make it. If I still want to do it next year, then I can work on my skills, maybe go to a camp, maybe join a club so that I can be better. So that's not only stepping out of your comfort zone isn't only um something you do through athletics, it's also something you can do professionally, personally, academically. And I'll give the example of Pascal Siakam. He didn't always play basketball. He was all before that, he was in a school to be like a priest, like a Roman Catholic father, and he was also playing soccer. However, basketball, basketball got introduced to him later in life. By later, I mean like teenage years, because most kids start playing at like seven. So although it was introduced later, he stepped out of his comfort zone by playing soccer into the realm of basketball, and now he plays for the Toronto Raptors and is a starter and arguably is probably one of the best on the team. So I think that through that example, through athletics, although you may be seeing something, and let's say basketball didn't work out, then that's okay. He still could have gone back to his school, his um schooling, or could have gone back to his aspirations of playing um competitive soccer. So through that example, we can thoroughly understand and acknowledge that in order for us to grow and in order for us. Potentially be successful, we have to take the risk, and realistically, the pros outweigh the cons. Because let's say it's a sports team again. Let's say you're trying a new event and track. Worst case scenario, you come last. And when you come last, will it be embarrassing for a little bit? Yeah, but everybody will forget about it. But if you come first, so many things can come out of that by you being inspired. And who knows, maybe like a scout or a university scout can come looking for you. So from that athletic example, we can turn that into professional, personal, academic. And let's say you're only applying, I'll use an academic example. Let's say you're only applying to, I don't know, universities near you, and there's some that are also far away that you know give good scholarships, and you know that you're in the level for that, and you don't apply to those because you're scared of leaving your family. You would have been like, Oh, what if I did I got in and what if I got a full ride? You wouldn't have ever known, or if you didn't apply to a prestigious scholarship because you were afraid, you would have been like, What if I got it? Then life would have been so much easier. So you never know unless you try. And as I switch it over to you, my question as you did your master's and PhD across the Atlantic Ocean from Cameroon. How did you navigate stepping across your comfort zone and moving in from the east to the west?

SPEAKER_01 23:14

I grew up in the northwestern part of Cameroon in the Jinquin, and I grew up hurting goods, and that was already part of uncomfortability. And every morning getting home at 5 a.m. to go and teeter goods, there could be nothing more uncomfortable than that. Getting into the deal, the mist, and sometimes it's raining in the morning, and you have to go and teeter goods. It therefore means that growing up, I knew that nothing was easy, and that prepared me psychologically to understand that I have to get what I don't have by sacrificing what I have, which is me and my time, to get it. And that already helped me to understand that no one is going to be there for me. And therefore, once you have that mentality that no one is going to be there for you, then you start to say, if no one is there for you, then you are there for you. And if you are there for you, you have to do what no one will do for you. And that prepared me because this example that I like to use, imagine you are sitting in a cozy room and filled with things that you love, right? And it's comfortable and it's safe and it is familiar. But just outside this room, there is a world full of new experiences and waiting for you to explore. That mentality was always in my mind. And so if you not think about stepping out of that room, it might feel strange at first, but like wearing a new pair of shoes that haven't been broken uh in yet, you might stumble a bit and and feel a bit unsure. But that's okay. So when you try new things, it's normal to feel awkward or uncomfortable. And it's like planting a seed in a garden, right? So at first the seed is just like under the dirt, hidden and unsure whether it will grow or not. But with time and care, it starts to grow into a beautiful flower, stronger and vibrant. And what you will notice is that you will start to like that seed. Every new experience, every step outside our comfort zone helps us to grow. And then it makes us to become stronger, to become wiser, to become more confident. And that's how I navigated the turbulence. Of course, you'll be afraid in the first. What are you going to face? Fear is not a bad thing. It only helps us to be conscious. But fear without a solution and just being afraid of things because we are afraid and use that as an excuse not to do something is actually a misnomer. And so we must embrace those awkward, uncomfortable moments. They are signs that we are growing, they are signs that we are changing, they are signs that we are becoming more than we were before. And just like a butterfly leaving its cocoon, right? And then spreading its winds. And in to that flight, you will find new joys and new adventures and a new you. So, what is the moral of all what I've explained within the context of the question you asked? It's very simple. Groot and comfort do not coexist. Embracing discomfort is the key to unlocking new potentials within ourselves. And so when I got a scholarship to go abroad and study, I was already passionate and I knew that the terrain was going to be different, but I was prepared to face it. And so that word preparation, be prepared for the unknown and face it head-on, regardless. Over.

SPEAKER_00 26:34

Yeah, excellent point. And I I like how you said be prepared for the unknown. And um, as we know, we know that the climate in England is obviously different from the climate in the northwestern part of Cameroon. And how did and did you originally like the snow when you went there? Uh when you came there? And if not, how did it take adjusting? As although the snow in Europe is lighter compared to areas in North America, all I can say is now you love the snow. So was it always that way, or did it take some adjusting?

SPEAKER_01 27:10

The reality is that these are societies that are suited for the type of weather that they are in, right? If you take Canada, you take North America, you take Europe, they do have systems that work. And that is as a result of preparation, that during snow, the kind of clothes people wear, the systems heating indoors, you have it. But psychologically, because you know that you are there and it is no, you psychologically prepare your mind that it's going to be cold. And so the point to your question that is very clear is that when we are psychologically prepared for the unknown and devise mechanisms and strategies to overcome it. And what's the strategy? You wear warm clothing. What's the strategy? It rains a lot in England, you have an umbrella. What's the strategy you should have a raincoat? What's the strategy wear boots? And when you do all these things and wear your gloves, you are fine. Is that so? If it is so, then it means that if we know what to do and we are prepared to do it, then what will look as if it is uncomfortable will become comfortable. And therefore, one of the biggest misnomer in this comfort zone is actually lack of strategy to get out of that comfort zone into an uncomfortable zone. And the truth is that once you get to something uncomfortable, you will learn to survive, and that enriches your experience. That gives you the gravitas of resilience, and that helps you to be able to overcome such when you you face it. And the last point is that it depends also what you are doing in that comfort, uncomfortable zone. Yes, I went to England to study. Yes, it was cool, but the studies were what I went there for, and so they took precedence. And therefore, if you leave the goal of what you are after because of uncomfortability, then definitely it means that you were never even there in the first place for that goal. Over.

SPEAKER_00 29:03

Yeah, the reason why I brought the cold up and now you enjoy colder, cooler weather was because sometimes you start off not liking something because it's foreign, and then as time goes on, you learn to love it. And that is something that some people need to grasp because sometimes, most times even, foreign concepts aren't we don't love something that's foreign immediately, and we need to look past that and look at the plan and look at the vision, and then come back and understand that I may not love it now, but it's probably gonna pay off, or I may not love it now, but I may like it later. So that's something that we need to adjust alongside our willingness to go outside our comfort zone because a lot of people tend to, if they don't like something at first, they're completely not open to even hearing another perspective, even though it may be the only way. And you're shaking your head right now, but I think that what is playing, yes, please go ahead.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

It's music as you are talking. The music is playing at the background, so go ahead.

SPEAKER_00 30:17

This is not a commercial, so that's but like but back to what I was saying, I think that a lot of people need to um adjust their mentality alongside knowing. Let's say I have this scrunchie, for example, there's this scrunchie right here, right in front of us. Okay, I gotta fix that. But there's this scrunchie right here, right in front of us. Some people may be like, I'm used to using rubber bands for my hair, I don't want to use a scrunchie. However, just because it's foreign, if you try it one, two, three times, you may even prefer the scrunchie over a rubber band. And that links back to the point as you may not like something initially, but once you get to know it and once you get used to it, then you can learn how to adjust and adapt.

SPEAKER_01 31:00

Very good point, Yafo. I mean, you brought up a very brilliant point, and that is the attitude of thinking that something we've never seen or it's coming from elsewhere should not be embraced because it is not from there. Yet, that mentality makes people, even the education we have today, was not originated in the African continent. But yet, it is up to us to look at it and take what is useful in it and apply it to the context in which we are living in. And therefore, when we keep complaining that it is a Western thing and at the same time utilizing medicinal solutions that are made in the West, educational systems that are structured using the Western approach, then we are undermining ourselves because the world is a global village. And therefore, your point of the fear of not experimenting something and looking at the good we can get out of it, it's actually a misnomer that is making people only to stay in their comfort zone and complain. And this is the point I wanted to build on what you've said. The complaining aspect is become so comfortable to people that anything, whether it is good or bad, they have to complain. And so, complaining has become made the norm and has been made the norm rather than the exception and have been normalized, and therefore we need to deconstruct that mentality and reconstruct a different mentality that takes people out of that normalization of complaining as a solution and get to the uncomfortable zone of solutions so that at least instead of complaining, they can start to showcase what they are themselves offering. And I believe that this deconstruction and reconstruction will become the new kakolus that we need to depend on over.

SPEAKER_00 32:43

Yeah, awesome. And before we wrap up, we have some comments. For example, Applebacker says sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone, so we literally learn new things. Excellent point. And I think relating to that, there are uh we have one from Dwight, the published author, saying comfort zone comfort zone is a very dangerous space to be in. And we have Jam from Fundong is on, yes, and then we have uh Sufianu Abuaca, we have worth listening, greet greetings. Um, we must get out of our comfort zone, and I think we've read everything up before that.

SPEAKER_01 33:22

Um yeah, perfect, yes, proceed.

SPEAKER_00 33:27

Yeah, so back to what I was saying within we've explored, we've explored academic examples, we've explored athletic analogies, and before we wrap up, I'd just like to say that throughout this interview, we forgot to mention one really important thing, and that is mindset change, which is something that we always come back to no matter what we're talking about. We could even be talking about whether we prefer dogs or cats, but we'll link it back to mindset change. So I think that mindset change is very important in this because as I talked about in our last episode, we have the ability to rewire our brain through a process called neuroplasticity. And if we are able scientifically to rewire our brains, that shows that in situations like this, we can rewire our brains too. Through obviously, it'll take some time because this is something that's very hardly wired in our systems, it's very entrenched. Through time, we will be able to get out of our comfort zones if we just rewire. And I think that although it may take time, it will be worth it because once we're able to soar outside our comfort zone, we'll be able to take a leap within our professional journey, academic journey, athletic journey, whatever it is. And we have a comment from Ogene saying to be successful in life, you must leave your comfort zone and get connected. And I think something we failed to mention is networking, because networking, whether you know it or not, it's something that can help you. And some people say it's not about what you know, it's about who you know, but that's true to an extent. However, at the end of the day, it comes down to you because whether you have people who are very influential in your life, if you're a lazy bomb, you're not gonna get anywhere. On the other end, too, what even if you have nobody in your life, you can still soar and still achieve despite your circumstances. And to network is not about to get people to do stuff for you, it's about to understand and make connections with like-minded people.

SPEAKER_01 35:26

Absolutely, very, very important points that you are bringing up there. The reality is this that the reason for comfortability for being very cozy in that comfort zone is as a result of a mindset that says, wait for others to do things for you as you are comfortable. And that takes me to a very important point we need to discuss the cost of comfort. I remember we had had a conversation on this very discussion on this part on the cost of comfort. And the cause of comfort is that if you're comfortable today, someone else is actually uncomfortable somewhere paying for that comfort in one way or the other. If you drink water, somebody must have fetched that water from a spring. If you are living in a house that you don't pay rent, somebody is paying the rent. You eat food in the morning, day, and night. Someone is cooking that food and you bought it, or you walked in the farm to do that. And so we must always understand that anytime we are comfortable without actually being part of that comfort that we have created through uncomfortability, then somebody somewhere is uncomfortable for us to be comfortable. Let me repeat that anytime you are comfortable without having played a part through uncomfortability. If you are not played a part, then someone somewhere is uncomfortable for you to be comfortable, and therefore, for if somebody is uncomfortable working the money and then paying the bills and making sure he buys food and you are just there doing nothing, then you are actually a barrier to your own progress because tomorrow that person is not going to be there, all of us, and therefore, for us to become uncomfortable is actually good for our own selves in the first place because we'll get what we are not able to get because we're comfortable. And when we become uncomfortable, we learn, we grow, we fall forward, and that is what is more important at the moment. It therefore means that to get beyond the comfort zone is not just a meat, neither it is just for a discussion, it is what we must all do everywhere. I think that is also a comment again here, Afu.

SPEAKER_00 37:29

Yep, Abu Bakr says in the context of the classroom, it's good for teachers to take people out of their comfort zone. I think that's um really good. And in some places across the world, uh, for example, where I live, there's there are programs like the gifted program, there's vocal programs for students who excel in music. There's different curriculums like AP, IB, which foster um academic excellence in those pursuits. And although teachers can do so much, there are definitely streams that they can um show students so that they can be pushed outside of their comfort zone. And he also mentions an inclusive environment. I think that's also important because despite everyone having their skills, in order for everyone else to grow, because creatures are humans of habit, uh, I mean, humans are creatures of habit. If we see somebody else excelling a lot, then we're gonna be motivated to keep on excelling. Yep, over.

SPEAKER_01 38:29

Excellent, excellent, amazing. As you run up, what are your last words?

SPEAKER_00 38:34

Yep. So my last words for this is if you've came this far, if you came this far, if you've watched all 38 minutes and 42 seconds of this, you're amazing. And I think that throughout our uh podcast, we have discussed everything from um comfort zone to mindset change to even linking it back to our favorite sports. I think that throughout challenges and throughout successes, many people who are successful have taken the leap through striving beyond their comfort zone. And for you to be successful and for you to be an asset rather than a liability, we must strive to continuously leave outside our comfort zone and understand that although it's a safe place, staying there forever will not be safe for us, whether it's uh professionally, academically, athletically, or even financially.

SPEAKER_01 39:29

So yeah, perfect. Very good points. And those of you are joining in our discussion today is going beyond the comfort zone, and therefore it's very, very important for us as you join in, and we've been discussing this over 30-40 minutes as we wrap up this conversation today on the journey on beyond the comfort zone. Let us reflect on what we have uncovered, which is that we've heard inspiring stories, gained insights from the discussion that we're having, and connected with different experiences that I'm sure that wherever you are, you must have had those experiences. But a common trait is this mindset change. Mindset change is key to stepping out of our comfort zones because let's face it, embracing the group mindset, which is a concept popularized by psychologist Carl Dwick, he once said that it is very, very important and crucial that we believe in our abilities and intelligence, which can be leveraged to develop our dedication and hard work. And this belief lays the foundation for resilience, it lays the foundation for a vital quality when facing new challenges and unknown territories. And so, what we've discussed today, practical steps that, as you're listening, you can be able to take, to be able to change your mindset to move out of this comfort zone. You need to do these aspects. Number one, write it down, embrace learning, view new experiences as opportunities to learn rather than tests of your abilities. So opportunities, experiences are opportunities to learn rather than testing your ability. So each step outside your comfort zone is a lesson. It is not just a challenge, it is a lesson. Number two, celebrate small wins. We have this attitude that we need to win big before we celebrate. No, acknowledge and celebrate your progress. Okay, no matter how small, this will enforce the positive aspect of stepping out of your comfort zone. Number three, reframe failures. What do I mean by this? Instead of seeing failures as setbacks, view them as part of the learning process. Every failure is a step closer to success. And number four, stay curious and focused. Cultivate that attitude, that sense of curiosity, ask questions, explore new ideas, and remain open-minded. Because what we know is that curiosity drives us to explore beyond the familiar. And number five, seek support. Yes, do surround yourself with people who encourage and support your growth and stay off those who bring only negative energy because a supportive network, like I've said, can provide motivation and advice when facing new challenges. And the last one, number six, is practice self-compassion. It is an issue that a lot of us don't do. Practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself first. Be kind to yourself during this journey of getting out of the comfort zone. Change isn't easy. If it were easy, everybody will be out of the comfort zone. Because it is not easy, it is okay to feel uncertain and scared, but it doesn't stop you from getting out of there. And therefore, with all this that we have said today, remember that stepping out of your comfort zone doesn't mean recklessly jumping into the unknown. No, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, I want to go to America, oh, I want to go to Europe, oh, I want to cross the limit. No, no, no, no, no, no. That is not what it means by getting out of the comfort zone. It doesn't mean recklessly jumping into the unknown. It's about thoughtful exploration, it's about major risk, it's about a willingness to learn and grow. The mindset from a fixed perspective to a growth-oriented one, transform these steps from down into accelerating. And therefore, let us all dare to go beyond our comfort zone, to step beyond, to embrace growth, to see where this journey takes us. Because at the end of the day, when we go beyond the comfort zone, we find courage to step out, we find courage to grow, we find courage to transform. Until then, it is the mindset sport. And thank you all so much for joining. But I know there is a comment here.

SPEAKER_00 43:57

Yeah, so Papu Shoro says um, when you stay in your comfort zone for so long, the sharpness of your brain shrinks. However, that does not mean you should expose yourself to places of discomfort and means exploring or taking adventures outside your usual environment. Exactly. And I think that's the point that uh Dr. Richard mentioned. Because if we look at it, although it's good to go outside your comfort zone, we're not telling you to go cliff diving if you're somebody who hates heights. We're telling you to explore. And if you're trying to overcome, let's say your fear of heights, maybe go on a roller coaster. We're not telling you to go skydiving, we're not telling you to hop over the Mediterranean Ocean and hop into Spain. We're not telling you to do that, we're just telling you to take small leaps of um small leaps of uncertainty. Anyways, Abu Bakr says embrace learning, celebrate progress, seeking support. I literally learn new things every time, especially the key points you've outlined. Awesome.

SPEAKER_01 44:56

Excellent, guys. Thank you so much. That was it for today. And until then, stay safe and make sure you get out of your comfort zone. Bye bye.