UPBUILDING THE SELF

Comfort, Stretch, and Panic Zones: Where Do You Reside?

Are you growing or are you contracting? In this episode, Vipin and Michael introduce the framework of the comfort, stretch, and panic zones. They discuss what differentiates each zone from the others and how having awareness of these zones can help us grow towards the best version of ourselves. They share how they have used this framework on themselves and with their coaching clients, why most people spend time in either the comfort or panic zones, how the ego fits into the picture, and they provide effective strategies so that we can consciously spend more time in the stretch zone.

Podcast Hosts: Michael and Vipin

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform

Highlights

  • [2:00] Introducing the three zones

    [4:00] Defining the comfort, stretch, and panic zones

    [8:00] Vipin’s examples with his coaching clients

    [11:00] The pain of not changing as a catalyst

    [13:00] Michael’s experience of leaving Goldman Sachs

    [14:40] The importance of awareness

    [19:10] The role of the ego

    [22:50] Investment committee meetings and the panic zone

    [24:30] Chip shots

    [27:30] Vipin’s kirtan experience

    [36:00] The importance of belonging

    [37:10] Putting this framework into action

    [40:40] Takeaways and closing thoughts

Quotes

  • “In order for somebody to change, the pain of not changing has to be higher than the pain of changing.” - Michael

  • “There is no such state as a static state. If we’re not growing, we’re contracting.” - Michael

  • “If we don’t go to the end of our limits, we won’t know what’s possible for ourselves.” - Vipin

  • “Coaching is [all about] helping people situate themselves in their stretch zone.” - Vipin

  • “First, you have to use everything you have, and then you may experience that mercy can pull you even beyond your limits.” - Sacinandana Swami

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.

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