5 Signs You Are Growing – Personally and Professionally!
At WOMENTOR, one of our core values is ‘empowerment’. Our mission is to especially empower women* and minorities who are fighting for equality. We understand that growth, both personal and professional, is a journey filled with challenges, learning, and self-discovery. Whether you’re a mentor or a mentee (or have no experience with mentoring at all), knowing how to measure your growth is crucial for staying motivated and focused on your goals. But how can you tell if you’re truly growing?
Let’s explore a powerful framework that can help you assess your progress and identify the signs of growth.
The Comfort Zone to Growth Zone Model
Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen without stepping out of your comfort zone. The "Comfort Zone to Growth Zone" model is a framework that has evolved over time through contributions from various authors. It stems from the work of the psychologist Lev Vygotsky, as well as the lean zone model from Senninger. It has since been popularized by many other educational professionals. You find more sources at the bottom of the article.
The model describes the stages we go through as we develop personally and professionally. Understanding these stages can help you pinpoint where you are on your growth journey and what you need to do to keep moving forward.
1. Comfort Zone
The Comfort Zone is where you feel safe and secure. It’s a place of routine, where you have control over your environment and activities. While it feels good to be in this zone, staying here for too long can lead to stagnation. There’s little risk, but also little opportunity for growth.
2. Fear Zone
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone leads to the Fear Zone. This is where you start to feel insecure, face self-doubt, and worry about failure or what others might think. It’s a challenging phase, but it’s also a necessary step towards growth. People might get stuck here, but those who push through will move to the next phase.
3. Learning Zone
The Learning Zone is where you start to acquire new skills, gain new knowledge, and expand your understanding. In this zone, you’re actively learning from your experiences, even if they involve mistakes. It’s a time of exploration and adaptation, where you begin to see the benefits of leaving your comfort behind.
4. Growth Zone
Finally, the Growth Zone is where you reach your full potential and will implement everything you learned in the previous phases. In this zone, you set and achieve meaningful goals, discover your purpose, and experience fulfillment. You’re no longer held back by fear or doubt; instead, you thrive in new challenges and opportunities. This is where true personal and professional transformation occurs.
5 Signs That You Are Growing
Now that you understand the model, how can you tell if you’re truly growing? Here are five key signs that indicate you’re on the right path:
1. You Feel Uncomfortable, but You Keep Going
Growth often feels uncomfortable because it involves stepping into the unknown. If you find yourself facing fears and doubts but continue to push forward, it’s a clear sign that you’re growing. Discomfort is a natural part of the process. However, make sure to clearly identify your personal boundaries and limitations. When do you enter the panic, instead of the fear zone? How often are you in the panic zone? Make sure not to overstretch your personal boundaries for the sake of potential growth. Finding the right balance is something an experienced mentor might help you with.
2. You’re Making Mistakes and Learning from Them
Growth isn’t about being perfect; it’s about learning. If you’re making mistakes but using them as opportunities to learn and improve, you’re growing. The Learning Zone is all about trial and error, and every mistake brings you one step closer to your goals.
3. You’re Setting and Achieving New Goals
In the Growth Zone, you start setting and achieving goals that were once out of reach. If you’re consistently challenging yourself with new objectives and meeting them, it’s a strong indication of personal and professional growth. Make sure to set measurable and actionable goals in the beginning of your growth journey, otherwise, you won’t know, what it is that you want to reach. In the WOMENTOR mentoring program, we guide you through these steps with help of your mentor and our professional toolkit.
4. You’re Expanding Your Comfort Zone
As you grow, the things that once scared you become part of your new normal. If you notice that your Comfort Zone is expanding and activities that once seemed daunting now feel manageable, it’s a sign that you’re progressing.
5. You Feel a Sense of Fulfillment and Purpose
True growth leads to a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. If you find yourself feeling more aligned with your values, passionate about your work, and fulfilled by your achievements, you’ve likely reached the Growth Zone.
6. It is not only about you: A critical D&I perspective
We acknowledge that growth is an individual process, however, not disconnected from systemic barriers. It differs a lot, not only according to your personality, but also according to your privileges and extent of support you get. If you feel like you have pushing yourself a lot at work, yet, still lack the estimation and promotion for your efforts, you might be experiencing the glass ceiling. At this point, it is not anymore about your individual growth, but you might be facing a systemic barrier in your organisation. In that case we recommend you to look for an inclusive employer who is actively seeking and promoting diverse talents - to make you thrive!
The Importance of Having a Mentor
While growth is a deeply personal journey, it’s not one you have to take alone. Please get as much support on your journey as possible, especially when you are in the 2nd zone of fear! A mentor can be an invaluable guide as you navigate through the different zones. Mentors have often experienced the challenges and triumphs that come with growth, and they can offer insights, support, and encouragement that help you stay on track.
At WOMENTOR, we believe that every person deserves a mentor who understands her unique journey. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re well on your way, a mentor can help you identify the zones you’re in, push through the Fear Zone, and celebrate your successes in the Growth Zone.
Would you like to accompany your growth? Find Your Mentor Today!
Growth is a journey filled with ups and downs, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can undertake. To ensure you’re on the right path, and to make the journey a little easier, consider finding a mentor who can walk with you through each phase. At WOMENTOR, we’re here to help you connect with mentors who have been where you are and can guide you to where you want to go.
Are you ready to grow? Let’s take the next step together. Find your mentor today and embark on a journey of personal and professional transformation.
Further references
From Comfort Zone to Growth (2023)