Thinking Big: Is it Time to Step Out from Under the ‘Comfort’ Blanket?

In a recent coaching conversation, my coach used a phrase that hit the nail on the head: “Thinking small.”

It was a lightbulb moment. I realised that by thinking small, I was essentially giving myself permission to stay tucked firmly inside my comfort zone.

We all know that feeling. The comfort zone is like a familiar, safe, and cosy blanket. Underneath it, life is predictable and stable. But if we are honest, it can also be a little boring, limiting, and ultimately unfulfilling. When we make the "easy" choice to stay under the covers, we aren't just staying safe, we are denying ourselves the opportunity for growth and limiting our true potential.

The Myth of the "Great Leap"

When people talk about personal growth, they often imply we should throw off the blanket and leap into the unknown. But let’s be realistic: leaping too far usually lands us straight in the Panic Zone.

The Panic Zone is a space fuelled by stress, anxiety, and fear. It makes us feel unsafe, and it is not a place where we thrive or learn. In fact, pushing ourselves too hard into the panic zone usually has a rubber-band effect: we end up running as fast as we can right back under our comfort blanket, seeking protection and familiarity.

Finding the Sweet Spot: The Stretch Zone

To truly "think big," we don't need to jump into the fire; we just need to move gently and carefully into the Stretch Zone.

The Stretch Zone is the magic middle ground. It’s where we:

• Seek out new and different challenges.

• Take calculated risks.

• Feel excited rather than frightened.

• View "failure" simply as data for learning.

  
  

When we stretch, we are brave enough to leave the safety of the comfort zone, but wise enough to protect ourselves from the adverse effects of the panic zone. It’s about taking those small, deliberate steps that lead to significant development over time.

A New Year, A New Perspective

As we enter this new year, I invite you to look at your own "comfort blanket." Is it keeping you warm, or is it keeping you small?

Stepping out doesn't require a radical transformation overnight. It requires the courage to embrace a little bit of fear and the openness to see what you are truly capable of. If we can develop just a little more courage each day, we can begin to reach our full potential.

What is your small step today?

Thinking big starts with one small action. What is one thing you can do today that moves you out of your comfort zone and into your stretch zone?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—what small step will you take today toward thinking big in 2026?