How We Grow: The Goldilocks Zone

The Goldilocks zone is the habitable area around a star where the temperature allows life to exist. Not too hot and not too cold. It’s just right.

A similar principle applies when we’re talking about how we learn and grow.

Physically, we grow stronger by pushing our bodies to the limit. By stretching it past the point of comfort, we force it to grow back stronger.

The key is finding that happy medium between hard enough and too hard. We want it to be a struggle, but one we can handle. The Goldilocks zone.

We grow by pushing past our comfort zone. Choosing to go further and forcing our bodies to keep up.

Mentally, we grow stronger through practice and experience. It still requires us to push ourselves but is more centered around acceptance, patience, and reflection. Reflection is at the core of mental growth.

Another form of mental growth comes from facing your fears. Fear is such a powerful emotion. It can stop you in your tracks and make you give up right then and there.

But more often, we fight our way through it. It’s uncomfortable and we may not want to do it, but we get it done. And every time that we conquer our fears, we become stronger.

Our ability to handle fear is just like any other skill. You improve with time and practice. As with any skill, there’s a Goldilocks zone for each individual that will help them expand their capacity to handle fear.

Things that aren’t scary enough won’t increase your tolerance. But if it’s too scary, you may not be able to force yourself to do it regardless of how badly you want to. So we’re aiming for that sweet spot; hard enough to make us work for it, but not beyond our abilities.

Who you are is reflected in the things you’ve done. Who you will be is determined by the actions that you take today. If you know who you want to be, work towards it. Be a little bit better every day. One step further, one second longer, one more pound.

Mighty as they may be, the pyramids were built in the same way. One brick at a time.

Live in the Goldilocks zone and grow stronger.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -Lao Tzu