The Zone
Optimal learning
Optimal learning is what Dr. Sonny Magana calls “learning in the zone” *, a situation where we can best learn, where our interests and abilities converge. This sinergy drives our motivation, produces an intense concentration, and desired results.
The Learning zone model represents how we learn in three steps:
Comfort zone: doing things that are familiar, staying with the routine (close to shore)
Stretch or Growth zone: where we get to open and discover new possibilities, we can experiment and stretch our abilities (surf/impact zone)
Panic zone: this is an area where we freeze because we don’t have the knowledge or skills to handle this type of learning, it is well beyond us at that moment (middle of the ocean)
In the Comfort zone, no much learning is happening. It feels easy because you know how to handle everything but you are not developing. Staying here too long can prevent your growth.
In the Panic zone, the feeling of overwhelm has taken over therefore there is no learning here either. You might be feeling stressed, out of control, unsuccessful, and may even want to get out of the situation because it’s traumatic.
The Stretch zone is ideal for learning, you are being asked to take some manageable risk and some responsibilities that require new learning. It feels a little uncomfortable but it does not send you into a panic, it’s the area for optimal learning. As you learn new skills, you start to feel comfortable again and you may move back to the Comfort zone.
To move into the Stretch zone you have to trust yourself, to believe that you have the abilities to learn.
You have to trust that those around you will support you: your boss, a mentor, your colleagues. In this zone, the work environment needs to allow people to experiment, to try new things, to collaborate and exchange ideas. You will need people who can answer questions, point you to resources, or offer a word of encouragement.
It is also important to continue to do or use some of the tools/tasks that you used in your Comfort zone so you feel secure and confident. In this zone, it’s important to remind yourself of your goals and celebrate any accomplishment. We also learn from each other, joining a learning group can also help you while in this zone.
Oftentimes, when people are in transition - pursuing a promotion, making a career change, leaving the corporate world to start a business - they are in the Stretch zone. Although, you might be ready for a change, you might also feel anxious. In this zone, there will be challenges, barriers, concerns. This is the moment when you need to assess, to find space to think, strategize, to use your confidence and allow yourself to move forward.
When you choose to stretch yourself, you will try new things with positivity, excited to learn and being challenged to create a new you.
* The Learning Zone Model was originally developed by psychologist Lev Vygotsky, later introduced by German educator Tom Senninger.
‘If you want to feel secure
Do what you already know how to do.
But if you want to grow…
Go to the cutting edge of your competence,
Which means a temporary loss of security.
So, whenever you don’t quite know
What you are doing
Know
That you are growing…’
(Viscott, 2003)
Related:
If you need help finding opportunities that will stretch your learning, I can assist you.
Contact me and we can work together. Let’s get started!
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