I Don’t Want to Leave My Comfort Zone {Bias Day 2}
What is it?
Also known as Complacency Bias, the Comfort Bias is when we don’t want our comfort disturbed. We favor the familiar and resist the different.
Here’s an example of Comfort Bias.
When an uncomfortable subject comes up in conversation, we quickly change the subject or leave the room to preserve our emotional stability.
Why does this happen?
Our brains don’t want to deal with confrontation or discomfort. It’s easier to maintain the status quo without having our emotions disrupted.
Why is this dangerous?
Staying in our comfort zones prevents us from moving forward when we need to. Our growth is stunted when we refuse to try anything new or different or challenging. We fail to live out our purpose when we refuse to take leaps of faith.
How can we counter it?
Know that it’s natural to want to stay where we’re comfortable. Just start where you are. Move forward a little at a time.
Remember that even baby steps, however short, will still move us in the right direction. We don’t have to do it all at once. Rewards await us on the outside boundaries of our comfort zones.
What did Jesus do?
Jesus was constantly calling people out of their comfort zones. But never to do it alone. He walked through it with them. Through his example and words, he encouraged others to take up their cross daily and to follow him. To step out of the boat.
He promises the same for us: we don’t have to leave our comfort zones by ourselves. When we step out of the boat, his hand is there to hold us up.
How glued are you to your comfort zone? What prompts you to step outside of it? Please share in the comments.
You are on Day 2 of the series, “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”
Previous: Confirmation Bias {Bias Day1}
“How Can You Avoid Your Confirmation Bias?”
Next: Competency Bias—Dunning-Kruger Effect {Bias Day 3}
“Why We Fail to Recognize Our Own Incompetence”
- How Can You Avoid Your Confirmation Bias? {Bias Day 1}
- Why We Fail to Recognize Our Own Incompetence {Bias Day 3}
Compassion usually gets me out of my comfort zone! I tend to like my status quo, thank you very much. But when I see someone’s dire need, I’ll move outside my zone. I love the picture you painted of Jesus holding out his hand to help me out of my zone.
Challenges keep us from being stagnate. I once heard growth is change and anything else leads to death. When I am out of my comfort zone I feel I have to be more reliant on God than normal. It seems to always increase my faith and leave me amazed at the results.
Staying latched to our comfort zones definitely stunts our growth and our faith. And I like how you noted Jesus called people out of comfort zones but walked through it with them.
Error us what jolts me out of my comfort zone. I emerge reluctantly, so it’s important for me to weigh the relational risks of a confrontation!
I will not leave my Comfort Zone,
please don’t ask me to try,
for I have hung up the phone
and kissed the world goodbye.
I will not try to comprhend
another point of view;
to this path my mind won’t bend,
not even if it’s true
for this may push me from my perch
of assumed predestination
and leave me sitting in the lurch
of dicombobulation
which will not be a pretty sight,
so ‘gainst all learning I shall fight.
Finally! Found a way to use ‘discombobulation’ in a sonnet!
I usually have to be pushed out of my comfort zone, as I am not an adventurous type of person-although I wish I was! I think a lot about getting out of that zone, but don’t actually do it until circumstances require it. Love the baby steps concept, I’ll give it a try.
I am more of an introvert but when the Holy Spirit nudges me to act I usually do. It maybe the the second or third nudge and at that point it’s more like a kick ?. Thank you for the encouraging post.
Lisa,
Such a great discussion especially today! I find it is tempting to stay in my comfort zone physically and intellectually. Thanks for the reminder of what we are called to do!
Love these lessons on biases, Lisa, wow this one hit home, just last night I changed the subject when my husband brought up something I did not want to talk about. After reading your post I can think of other times when I do this, too. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Now to find the courage to take a few baby steps forward!
I have been reading about many called and few chosen lately, even if we sink while walking on water He gets us back in the boat. Fear stops us sometimes but love wins out, always.
Lisa, this is such a needful series. Comfort zones are where I tried to live my life when I was younger. I didn’t want to be a part of confrontation or disagreement. But, you’re right. If we refuse to leave our comfort zones, we become stagnant. I’ve had some interesting conversations with friends and family members, and though I don’t always engage in confrontation, I consider what they’re saying and try to see their viewpoint from their perspective. Thanks for the reminder that Jesus walks alongside us when He invites us to get out of the boat. I needed that today.
Lisa, I don’t want to come out of my comfort zone. Your speaking to me today, and I really needed to hear this. And, as I look around Jesus certainty has called me out of my comfort zone, more than once. Blessings.
Great article, Lisa! I want to grow and not be stunted. You had a great observation, “Our growth is stunted when we refuse to try anything new or different or challenging.
Oh, I need to work on this.