Comfort zone
Rob: (ON PHONE) OK Helen, sounds interesting…I’ll be rightover. Bye! Helen
has something interesting to show me, so I’moff to see it now.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Rob: Err, hi Helen.
Helen: Hello Rob. Welcome to my comfort zone.
Rob: Your what?
Helen: My comfort zone. I’ve made a very comfortable area forrelaxing in. Don’t
you think it’s relaxing Rob?
Rob: Well yes. Nice cushions, a very cosy sofa and softlighting – but Helen, why
did you want to show me this relaxing andcomfortable room – are you up
to something?
Helen: No! You said we were doing a programme about comfortzones – so I
decided to make one.
Rob: I see. Well we could describe this room as our comfortzone but usually the
term refers to how someone feels.
Helen: Oh! So it’s not just a place, but a state of mind.
Rob: Yes. If someone is in their comfort zone, they feelsecure and comfortable,
they might even feel in control. Maybe theseexamples will help to explain
more…
Examples
John isn’t going for the promotion - he wantsto stay in his comfort zone and doesn’t
want the extra stress.
Jane stays in her comfort zone when bookingher holiday and will never travel overseas.
Rob: So those examples describe people who are happy doingsomething
they’ve always done. They feel safe and secure.
Helen: It sounds like a nice place to be.
Rob: It is but it can also imply you won’t take risks andmove out of your
comfortzone…
Helen: …into your un-comfort zone you mean or yournon-comfort zone?
Rob: Exactly. Listen to these examples…
Examples
Sally is dressing outside her usual comfortzone; have you seen the dress she’s wearing
Tonight?!
Bob’s working outside his comfort zone byagreeing to run the accounts department.
Rob: A comfort zone can also describe the ideal temperatureof a room. It’s just
the right conditions to feel comfortable in –not too hot, not too cold.
Helen: Well Rob, I think we’re in just the right comfort zonenow.
Rob: We are but come on, let’s step outside and get somefresh air.
Helen: Sorry Rob, I’m staying in my comfort zone. Mmm, it’sso cosy and I feel so
secure here and anyway, it might be rainingout there.
Rob: You don’t take any chances Helen! Oh well, see youlater. Bye.
Helen: Bye! Oh this sofa is so comfortable,mmm…
