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Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

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Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#41

Post by timwiseman »

znt wrote: post #33

Well this happened out of my consent but I guess it may be called an experience out of my comfort zone: I'm a computer engineer and every man has to serve in the army for a limited period in my country. Normally computer guys like me are selected to work in army's computer and communication centers, but I submitted my papers late and instead of working in such center I was selected to be a mountain commando squad lea…

My Army service was voluntary, and somewhat less traumatic, but it similarly expanded my horizons and gave me a very different perspective on things. I consider it one of the better things I have done in my life both in terms of personal development and in terms of contributing.

I served as an officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan and while I have been to England before, seeing those places gave me a very different perspective on the world. Similarly, being in charge of men in combat zones is very different than managing a technical group.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#42

Post by fsniper »

soysoloyo wrote: post #21
fsniper wrote: post #4

I did it with my eating and workout habits and lost over 40Kg :) It really feels good not to be an obese :)

That's one of the best things one can do to oneself! Congratulations! I lost almost 45kg too and it is just unbelievable how life can change. Just curious, what is your age? (I am almost 40)

I'm 28 now. It's really good to be in shape. I'm afraid of going the other path now. Congratulations to you too.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#44

Post by silversmith »

d_mcgraw wrote: post #35
tricky wrote: post #11

>I'm trying to determine whether pushing oneself past the comfort zone always results in a positive outcome. It won't, but that's not the point. It is about the journey and growing as a person and crying and having the time of your life.

I think it will for the exact same reason. It is about the journey not the destination, but even if the journey is shit you have learned and grown which I believe are positive outcomes.

Even if the journey is shit, the painful details tend to melt away as time passes, leaving only "yeah, that taught me a lot" in forefront. That's just how the brain works, how we naturally preserve our sanity/positive outlook. After long enough time, the only regrets about uncomfortable situations tend to be about not taking the plunge.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#45

Post by Schmidt »

I push myself through my comfort zone about one to two times a year. I travel by plane. It is one of the most horrifying things I can imagine and I still do it, the outcome is not really positive but I get to challenge a fear, understand how I cope with it and think about how to deal with extreme situations.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#46

Post by znt »

fsniper wrote: post #40
znt wrote: post #33

Well this happened out of my consent but I guess it may be called an experience out of my comfort zone: I'm a computer engineer and every man has to serve in the army for a limited period in my country. Normally computer guys like me are selected to work in army's computer and communication centers, but I submitted my papers late and instead of working in such center I was selected to be a mountain commando squad lea…

Sorry but I should say this in Turkish; Geçmiş olsun! Well I'm in a bad situation now. I've been postponing military duty because of obesity for the last 3 years. In 2 years time I could be out of service. But I've lost over 40 Kgs. In this September I may be called for duty :(

Sağol birader. As you see in the news the current situation in the southeastern Turkey is not so pretty. I advise you to try to go abroad to evade military service.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#47

Post by timwiseman »

To directly address whether leaving the comfort zone always results in a positive outcome, the answer is clearly no. Putting aside the obvious possibility of something going catastrophically wrong (to use an old quote: If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you!), there are some types of knowledge you may not want.

I personally benefitted greatly from my military service, but I have friends that bear both physical and mental scars from it. For them, it did not have a personally positive outcome (I emphasize the personally because they served honorably and contributing greatly to their country.). Similarly, I have two close friends in law enforcement. They both are stronger for their work and have had many interesting experiences, but many people would not want to have seen some of the things they have or had to make some of the choices they did.

With that said, it generally has a positive outcome, especially if you are talking about things like just studying a new programming language or academic subject.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#48

Post by fsniper »

znt wrote: post #46
fsniper wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry but I should say this in Turkish; Geçmiş olsun! Well I'm in a bad situation now. I've been postponing military duty because of obesity for the last 3 years. In 2 years time I could be out of service. But I've lost over 40 Kgs. In this September I may be called for duty :(

Sağol birader. As you see in the news the current situation in the southeastern Turkey is not so pretty. I advise you to try to go abroad to evade military service.

I'm thinking of it. But the thing is I'm working on my own company with my associate. Leaving him is something I hesitate to do.

Re: Ask HN: When did you last put yourself out of your comfort zone?

#49

Post by guiseppecalzone »

timwiseman wrote: post #41
znt wrote: post #33

Well this happened out of my consent but I guess it may be called an experience out of my comfort zone: I'm a computer engineer and every man has to serve in the army for a limited period in my country. Normally computer guys like me are selected to work in army's computer and communication centers, but I submitted my papers late and instead of working in such center I was selected to be a mountain commando squad lea…

My Army service was voluntary, and somewhat less traumatic, but it similarly expanded my horizons and gave me a very different perspective on things. I consider it one of the better things I have done in my life both in terms of personal development and in terms of contributing. I served as an officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan and while I have been to England before, seeing those places gave me a very different pe…

What was your role in the Army? Would you do it again?
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