"Did you ever think that the reason you are still doing something is because you are in your comfort zone?
The words churned through my mind.
Comfort zone. What is this? Is this when one hits the cruise control, doing everything instinctively and mindlessly? I am definitely comfortable in that scenario. Is it when one takes a holiday, lying around and not doing much? I would be comfortable then too.
One definition is:
"an established lifestyle in which a person feels comfortable as long as there is no drastic change"
[www.dictionary.com]
Are humans really creatures of change? Or are we resistant to changes in our environment?
There is no doubt in my mind that as humans, we have changed. From subsistence lifestyles to supermarkets. As humans, we have altered the face of this earth through creation of items which serve our needs. Cities, building, cars, trains and planes. All these were human creations in order to make life comfortable.
Now, if suddenly someone said that we could no longer use our cars, would that be a change we would be able to live with? Would we be resistant to that change? My first answer would be a resounding, "YES!". It's almost like taking away a right. So how can it be that we had lived without cars for so long that we need it today? Is that our comfort zone? Is treading outside those boundaries really that difficult?
Maybe humans wish to have everything. We want changes when it suits our needs. But hate the changes which negatively affect us. Do humans really learn to adapt?
Perhaps one develops a reliance on something else which creates that comfort zone? Can one become a little too comfortable and reliant and therefore reluctant to move on even if they are not really happy?
Is it a trade-off or state of mind in which one feels that they cannot find a better substitute and therefore settle with what they already have?
Admittedly, if people were so comfortable, they would not take holidays or breaks from the things which they do. Even professionals sports people who are apparently doing what they love need a break from it all. Without change or a break from the norm, one doesn't really know what they are missing out, or have missed in that period of time.
Perhaps I need a break.
4 comments:
Long time no post...strange that you would write about needing a break when you just came back from having a break!
I think that change is necessary. Sometimes unwilling...but necessary. Sometimes it creeps upon you so slowly...and other times you might be v. adamant against it...but learn to deal with it in time. So much so that you forget that you didn't want the change in the first place.
but i do think its true that ppl use their comfort zones to hide from what they really want to do. sometimes the risk is too great, sometimes ppl just get lazy or sometimes lack the motivation to do it. i guess u just have to know what you want and go for it...regardless of how comfortable you might be.
glad u are home! :)
mindy: You are right in that the rate of change is also important to think about.
giz: Agreed in that humans don't like change and really only like changes which are beneficial.
I wonder if it stems from us wanting our own little havens and are happy to not have other encroach upon our domains. i.e. we only like changes which we initiate?
giz: True - but I guess that my point is also that embracing change means that one must accept both the good and the bad changes together and not just the good. Hence, change can also translate to be regression.
Although the favourite saying is that life has two certainties, Death and Taxes, but I tend to disagree. Perhaps "Change" is the only constant in life.
Don't want to pay tax? Tax havens like Luxemburg should do the trick, or if you are dumb like me, just ask Macquarie Bank how it is done. Death, we are not quite there yet, but medical science in conjunction with technological science should get us there eventually. It is only a matter of time.
Getting back on track...we change physically, mentally and spiritually. The world around us and the ppl surrounding us change.
But I am very curious, is change good or bad?
Are we creatures of habit and we are afraid of changing? Is change necessary? Does change always lead to progress?
Conventional wisdom will tend to say yes to all the above. But can we quantify, measure and prove these statements?
Consider this example: C has been with his girlfriend for 5yrs. They live together and things are going along fine, but there is no urge to tie the knot. Then by chance, he meets A, a really attractive and outgoing girl, exactly his type, absolute dream girl.
A) Is C afraid of change because he and his girlfriend have been together for a long time?
B) Since there is no urge to take the next step with the current girlfriend. Maybe something is missing, maybe she is not as attractive as A. As a result, is change necessary?
C) If C goes out with A, is it going to be better than the prior relationship? Should we just keep moving onto a better partner until we are constrained by the invisible hand of demand and supply? (C and his mobile phones with pictures of his 1000+ ex-girlfriends.)
Clearly, there is no clear answer as it will be contingent on a large number of factors. So therefore, change can be both good or/and bad. So what's my point? (Hurry up before you fall asleep reading this).
Does choice cause change to effect?
When there is a better alternative, we are obviously better off choosing the one that derives a higher utility. However, life is rarely so simple right? Perhaps our desire to change will diminish when there is too much choice? "Buyers remorse", the fear of making the wrong choice. Can I also point out that human beings are notorious for getting the risk and reward relationship wrong!
Conclusion: I am actually "Pro" change. If there is an opportunity out there, put your balls on the line, grab it by the horns and go along for the ride. But it should be done in a considered and well thought-out way. The right choice should be aligned with your goals, dreams and ambitions plus acknowledged downside. Once that is clear in your mind, have conviction in yourself, don’t sit on your ass and live life with no regrets. As it should be...
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