Get Into the Zone

“ It’s crucial to balance the demands of learning to keep anxiety at bay and create spaces where creativity can flourish.”

Get Into the Zone...

Every day brings an opportunity to learn something new. Whether it's through reading a book, diving into a course, or discovering the latest AI tool, my thirst for knowledge feels greater than ever. There’s always a fresh perspective, a new trick to make life easier, or an inspiring way to see the world differently—a reminder that learning is a journey, not just a destination.

In our information-rich world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Sometimes I wonder, "What am I doing with all this knowledge? How is it enhancing my life or the lives of those around me?" These questions encourage me to focus not on the quantity of knowledge but on its quality and impact. Each bit of wisdom can be a steppingstone toward personal growth and understanding.

Upon reflecting, my journey as a lifelong learner appears more like an unexpected adventure. It’s only now that I see learning as the thread weaving through my life’s fabric, guiding me to places and insights I never anticipated. From returning to school for degrees, certificates, and licenses, to online courses, workshops, and life-changing events, the pursuit of knowledge never ceases to surprise and fulfill me. Every course, every book, every conversation is a chapter in my lifelong narrative of discovery and growth.

Recently, I learned about Lev Vygotsky’s “Zone of Proximal Development” theory from Nate Harris in The Business Breakthrough Workshop. In the context of learning and psychology, "proximal" refers to the area or level at which a learner is ready to gain new skills or knowledge with appropriate guidance or support. This theory explains my desire to always learn, do, and be more. The ZPD theory illustrates our need for constant mental stimulation. Without it, we slip into boredom. When we’re just the right amount of challenged, we enter "flow," but too much challenge can push us into anxiety. It’s crucial to balance the demands of learning to keep anxiety at bay and create spaces where creativity can flourish. This balance allows us to stretch our capabilities while maintaining a sense of joy and purpose. I created a drawing to help illustrate this for you.

Depending on what we’re doing, our tasks can move us through different states of challenge and satisfaction. To keep in the flow state, we need to seek guidance to push ourselves into the ZPD. This guidance acts like scaffolding, providing the boost we need to learn more effectively. Just as physical scaffolding supports workers as they construct buildings, educational scaffolding supports learners by offering structure, guidance, and support at just the right moments. With scaffolded support, tasks that initially seem daunting become manageable and achievable.

Today, this guidance is more accessible than ever, with myriad resources available online. From tutorials and virtual mentors to interactive courses and forums, scaffolding opens doors to new challenges and discoveries. By embracing these supports, we can navigate our way out of the boredom zone and back into the dynamic flow of learning.

On the other side, we can hit a zone I call “coasting.” Coasting comes when we’re comfortable but lack growth. While it might suit some, for me, coasting is clearly in the boredom zone, and boredom creates stress rather than serenity. To avoid this stagnant state, I find it rejuvenating to seek endeavors that push my boundaries, whether it's mastering a new skill or exploring an unfamiliar field.

I regularly seek scaffolding to dip in and out of my Zone of Proximal Development. I call it my "Sweet Spot", alternating between flow and ZPD. This conscious effort to stay engaged in learning means cultivating a mindset open to challenges and change. It encourages resilience, adaptability, and a sense of wonder at the endless possibilities within the world.

If you find yourself bored, why not challenge yourself with new skills? Life is a continuous learning journey, and there’s always more to discover. Each challenge is an invitation to grow, each failure a lesson to learn. Education, whether formal or through life experiences, is merely a start. Embracing new challenges keeps us alive and growing.

I challenge you to embark on your next learning adventure. Embrace new ideas, keep an open mind, and dare to see life differently. Your brain is your ally, a loyal partner in exploration. Take the plunge into your Zone of Proximal Development and keep the flow alive! Dive into your passions with enthusiasm and let learning be the force that drives you forward.