Chapter 3: Personality and Comfort Zones

Comfort Zones Range of comfortable behavior often holds people back People often limit their options out of fear of disapproval from themselves or others Fear of success – People may sabotage their own efforts because they are unable to handle success and are afraid to step out of their comfort zones Fear of failure – People limit themselves because they fear they will not succeed

Playing the Victim Some people have a perpetual “poor me” attitude. Elephant-in-the-Bottle Syndrome – Trying to take all of the negative events that you had some part in and cram them into an area that constitutes being a real victim Leaf-in-the-Wind Theory – Some people behave as though they have to go through life being blown about by the winds of change without exerting control over their own situations Captain-of-Your-Ship Theory – Asking yourself how you got into a situation in order to avoid it in the future

True Victimization While some people play the victim role, others are actual victims. It is inappropriate to make actual victims accountable when certain situations are unavoidable. When individuals have no control over their situations, it may help to ask two questions: 1. What is the lesson for me from this event? 2. How can I give this situation meaning?

7 Habits of Highly Effective People 1. Be proactive 2. Begin with the end in mind 3. Put first things first 4. Think win-win 5. Seek first to understand, then be understood 6. Synergize 7. Sharpen the saw

Big Ideas We all have comfort zones in which we operate. Expanding your comfort zone requires taking risks, but doing so will give you greater choices and options in life.

Big Ideas (cont.) Fear of failure and fear of success are limiting beliefs that keep us in our comfort zones. There are perceived benefits from playing the victim role, but becoming more accountable for the consequences of your behavior will be more beneficial in the long run.