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The Year of the Looking Glass — Medium | Julie Zhuo
This was first published on my mailing list The Looking Glass. Every week, I answer a reader’s question.
Photo by Birgit Kulbe
You grow fast while in the discomfort zone. But often times we end up being comfortable with our job. It could be because we are good at what we are doing. Nothing wrong with that. Changing jobs often would not be smart either. So how do we keep staying in the discomfort zone, while staying in the job we are comfortable in?
I think about this question all the time. I mean, I’ve been at the same company for almost eleven years! By Silicon Valley standards, I am that rare and very strange creature, like that fish with the sharp teeth and glowy lamp dangling from its head in the inky depths of the ocean. Why would such a thing be? Wouldn’t I get complacent and bored? Wouldn’t I learn more by jumping into new experiences, like the explorer whose wanderlust glimmer sends her to understand what lies at the four corners of the world?
I believe two things: the first is that yes, you do grow faster in the discomfort zone. So if your goal is to stretch your skills, you need to find ways to keep yourself from getting too comfortable. My second belief is that there is always something to learn no matter where you are or what you are doing. When I look back at times in my career when I’ve felt this tug — I’m getting bored. Do I need a change? — the reason is usually because I’m not feeling any external pressure. I’m getting pretty good reviews, I don’t have any fires to fight, everyone’s telling me Good job, keep it up.
But did that mean I had mastered all there was to know of good design and management? Were my peers singing my praises, unable to fathom another person on this good, sweet earth who could possibly do any better than I was doing?
No, of course not. I’m not delusional.
The key to growing while staying in the same job is setting new challenges for yourself. Expect more of yourself than anyone else does. Yes, it requires intentional effort. Anyone who has invented anything new, broken records, or done anything extraordinary has pushed themselves in this manner. By definition, when you exceed people’s expectations, you’re doing something they weren’t thinking you would do. That kind of motivation has to come from within.
How can you keep yourself in the discomfort zone? Try the following:
Wishing you a week full of learning.
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Staying in the Discomfort Zone was originally published in The Year of the Looking Glass on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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