Comfort Zones, and Other Impediments
What exactly is a comfort zone, anyway? I found a great definition on Wikipedia that defines it thus: A comfort zone is a type of mental conditioning that causes a person to create and operate mental boundaries that are not real. Such boundaries create an unfounded sense of security.
All right, everyone, today’s post is going to require a bit of cooperation on your part, because I’m going to ask for your participation in a little experiment. No, no, it’s nothing bad – good gosh, it’s not like I’m going to ask you to walk and chew gum or anything. I just need you to remove your fingers from the keyboard for a minute. (I know it’ll be hard for some of you; don’t worry, it’ll still be there waiting for you when we’re finished.)
Uh, first a little warning: Do not attempt the following instructions while reading this post on your IPhone or Blackberry and driving your car at the same time! You won’t like what happens!
Are you ready? Now, prrrrryyyy your fingers off the keyboard and hold both hands in front of you, palms facing toward each other. Great. Now, as naturally as you can, fold your fingers together as in the photo. Wonderful! Very good, you each get a cookie! But… not right now.
Now, notice which of your thumbs is on top. Is it your right thumb or your left? Are you a right-thumbed person, or a left-thumbed person?
Did you know that left-thumbed people are known to be naturally more handsome or beautiful? You didn’t? It’s true! And, did you know that right-thumbed people know that all left-thumbed people are full of hogwash? Bwa-ha-ha-ha! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
OK, here comes the fun part. Unfold your hands and then refold them so the other thumb is on top. How does it feel? Pretty weird, huh? Isn’t it funny how something so simple can feel so… insecure?
Thanks a bunch, folks, you’ve been a wonderful audience! It’s safe to put your hands back on you keyboard if you like; we’re done with the day’s exercise.
I know my friends Robyn or Dr. Ellen over at the MITA Brain Based Center could expound on this far more than I could (I mean, they are brain scientists), and to be honest, I’d be interested to read what they might have to say about how we can be limited by our comfort zones, both obvious (”You do what for a living? I could never do that!”), and subtle (which thumb was on top again?)
Did you know one of the earmarks of successful people is that they can more easily leave their comfort zones than everyone else? It’s true. Thus, it would probably behoove us to recognize where our own comfort zones are causing artificial limitations in what we choose to do or not do, don’t you think?
Might be worth thinking about.
16 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Must be me – I know my brain wiring has gone wrong somewhere down the line, hey I’m reading your post aren’t I as proof! – but left or right makes no difference to me at all
Karin H. (Keep it Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Bob, I did the experiment, to find my left thumb was on the top. Now according to your analysis of this, that means I am beautiful. Would I want to change that idea, one I haven’t had in the first place?
Ellen and I find that many folks do not want to move out of comfort zones. And, as folks stay stuck in a rut without taking on the challenge of change or learning new technology, they are actually shrinking the number of brain cells they have. Ellen has a blog on this that you might enjoy checking out… http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com/2007/03/hebbian_hobo_where_young_is_ol.html
I always knew you were a strange one, Karin! But I’m OK with that…
The thumb thing isn’t limited to your own hands. Next time you’re walking with your girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/etc. and holding hands, notice whose thumb’s where. Then try and switch. You can also notice whose wrist is forward.
With my girlfriend, whose wrist is forward does not matter. However, it does change whose thumb’s on the outside. So, while I’m usually wrist back/thumb out, if we’re walking and my wrist ends up forward, then there’s no comfort loss if my thumb is in. We haven’t been able to figure out if this is a comfort zone thing, or something to do with the angles are arms are at depending on position…
Good point, Sam. After 25 years, Mrs. MZM still love to hold hands all the time, but mine is always, always, always on top. I think it has to do with the length of our arms, too. But try and do it the other way, and man, does that feel weird! Go figure!
The challenge is on, Bob — and you’ve stirred the dendrites for curiosity yet again. I’ll be back with a few words in my blog today. Ready?
OK, Bob, I took the challenge and my answer’s posted today!
I did the same sort of experience once about how I folded my arms. The experiment was how long it would take me to fold them the opposite way, automatically. It only took a couple of weeks, and I’m still doing it the new way.
My right thumb was on top in this experiment, so I think it’s worth the small amount of time it will take to switch that. After all, if it makes me naturally more beautiful….
That was fairly trivial, but I also cured myself of a dental phobia when I was 16 years old. That was probably one of the most empowering experiences of my life. It’s hard to feel stuck after something like that. Then I cured myself of a weight problem. I had to go a lot deeper for that one, but I had no doubt I could do it. It was just a matter of patience and persistence. That was decades ago, and it’s a non-issue now.
In the process, of course, I learned a heck of a lot about behavior modification! Thanks for asking. It’s a subject near and dear to my heart.
Robyn: (Sorry, your first comment was stuck in Akismet for awhile.) Hey, congratulations! You know what I find the most entertaining observation from people who write about doing this experiment? Not one has claimed to be a right-thumbed person yet! What are the odds of that?!
Ellen & Robyn: Glad to be the instigator of brain growth; I’m honored that you took up the challenge. You both have blessed me so much already!
Read tomorrow’s post for a follow up…
Jean: I don’t think folding my arms makes a difference to me either way. But so far, you’re the first person who’s ever admitted to being right-thumbed!
You’ve illustrated a great point, though – small steps successfully executed can lead us through larger steps later.
The REAL challenge is to never stop growing! Thanks for dropping by and commenting, Jean!
Hey, Robert,
I’ve been playing around with this, and my left-thumb automatically goes on top now. Somehow my mirror hasn’t noticed yet. How long will that take?
Hopefully, Jean
[...] thought of that quote when I read Robert Hruzek’s recent post, Comfort Zones, and Other Impediments. It’s a fun piece… Robert asks us to close our eyes and fold our hands together, with [...]
[...] inspired by Liz’s Change the World series, and in light of a couple of my own recent posts (Comfort Zones, and Other Impediments and Immortality, and Making a Difference), plus one from a while back (A Light in the Darkness), [...]
Love this post! I am an advocate of “getting uncomfortable” – because I know the growth that occurs when I allow myself to be in that state.
Ah….but there’s the rub. I like to be uncomfortable when I choose it. Sometimes I just find myself in that state, and I don’t like it at all.
But…perhaps that’s when the most growth happens?
Donna
Howdy, Donna! Yep, I agree – the most and best growth occurs when it’s totally unplanned and VERY uncomfortable! Eek!
Hey, if you REALLY want to be uncomfortable, check out our current challenge!
Thanks for dropping by!