Comfortable Boundaries

Talking to a colleague about comfort zones, we touched the subject of boundaries: Many people know what it feels like to be inside their comfort zone, and many can imagine the Undiscovered Country outside. But what seems to be equally – probably even more – important, is the boundary between the two.

You see, planning to leave a comfort zone means pushing, or breaking a boundary, which necessitates direct interaction. It may well be important to know about how the boundary is structured — what it is made of. Is it a single, thin, line? Or a demilitarized zone lined with barbed wire and mines? Maybe a ball bath filled with soft, squishy, colorful balls?

Remember that the boundary is more than just a marking that separates A from B. It is part of both A and B (because both are touching it), and it is part of the big picture as well.