Out Of Comfort Zone

Cutting Edge Business Lessons Based on Sports Psychology from the Experience of an Extreme Swimmer

Deniz Kayadelen, 2020

15 min read

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Do you want to move outside your comfort zone? The life story of an extreme swimmer and business psychologist can inspire your journey.

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Extreme swimmer and business psychologist Deniz Kayadelen tells the unvarnished story of how she moved out of her comfort zone and into her growth zone. Whether it’s transcending physical limitations by swimming the cold waters of the English Channel, or overcoming psychological stressors by moving from Frankfurt to Johannesburg, Kayadelen knows what it’s like to face your fears and move beyond them. In an inspiring narrative, she offers encouragement and tips for how you can do the same.

Summary

The process of personal growth moves through three stages: comfort, out of comfort and growth.

Any journey toward personal growth begins inside your comfort zone and moves beyond it, until you finally reach your growth zone. Although moving outside your comfort zone brings the risk of failure, it’s a necessary part of your development journey. Confront your fears to overcome them, and cast off your limiting beliefs to move toward personal transformation.

Learn to identify which zone you’re in, so you can move through it seamlessly, and help others do the same. The process begins inside your comfort zone, which is what’s well known to you. This familiarity allows you to feel safe and in control. Although safety and control are important in life, if you allow those feelings to dominate, they can inhibit personal growth. To avoid this, move towards discomfort.

The out of comfort zone is made up of a fear zone and a learning zone. Full of vulnerability and anxiety, your confidence wanes in the fear zone, and you become susceptible to the trap of other people’s limiting beliefs. Learn to avoid this pitfall and reclaim your confidence.

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About the Author

Deniz Kayadelen is a business psychologist, head of Talent Management at Ernst & Young, and an extreme swimmer who has earned multiple national and international awards.

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D. R. 4 months ago

Tomar riesgos, aventurarse a hacer cosas nuevas, abren un mondo de posibilidades a los que no se tiene acceso desde tu lugar confortable. Definitivamente hay que arriesgarse.

Deniz Kayadelen