4-H kids get out of their comfort zones in a safe environment
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“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Anthony Robbins.
Walking around in your hometown down the same streets, seeing the same friends and doing the same things might make you feel happy and content of complacent. You watch the same shows, you eat the same food, you play the same games and you listen to the same music. So why step out of that comfort zone? Well, your growth may depend on it.
There are benefits to breaking the mold and stepping out of your comfort zone. There is magic out there for youth! By stepping out into that unknown, youth can gain confidence, self-awareness, new interests and life skills. By trying new things, meeting new people and experiencing different points of view, youth are preparing themselves to handle change in the future and they will become more productive as a person.
According to an article in Psychology Today, “Five Benefits of Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone” by Abigail Brenner M.D. from New York University, practicing getting out of the comfort zone early in life allows youth to prepare for major changes they may face in the future. Through these small risk-taking moments, youth build a larger comfort zone to cope with adversity. These benefits exist whether it’s from a success or a failure.
Failure is an option. Especially in a safe environment like 4-H, which is offered in Michigan by Michigan State University Extension. The 4-H motto, “Learn by Doing” gives youth the opportunity to grow from failure. 4-H Youth Development programing allows youth to explore new interests and gain new perspectives. With understanding adults in an unpressured environment, youth don’t have to make the grade or pass the test. They just have to be willing to explore, eager to learn and bold enough to try. They may find great discoveries if they do!
Youth may find great discoveries within themselves, too. The more youth engage in exploration, the more comfortable they are when encountering new settings and life changing events that are sure to come. The more confidence they gain, the better off they will be. Engaging in 4-H programs can help build this confidence. Young people involved in 4-H reported that participation in 4-H programs greatly influenced their confidence and leadership skills, as noted in the Tuft University study, Reconnection and Replication Study, The Positive Development of Young People.
When pushing the limits of your comfort zone, there is an “optimal anxiety” that researchers are finding is beneficial for humans. It can vary between people and places, and there can be4h and usually is, productive discomfort while taking a risk or experiencing something new. 4-H offers a wide range of programs provided in a safe environment. It truly is an optimal place for youth to practice getting out of their comfort zone. With youth development and learning at its core, a 4-H experience will allow youth to grow here. Get started by visiting the Michigan 4-H website or connecting with the MSU Extension office in your county.
