Change is scary. Trying new things is scary. But those scary moments help us grow and they help us become better.

In educational psychology, there’s an idea called the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). ZPD is the ideal moment between work that is too easy and work that is too challenging. If the work is too easy, the students don’t learn. If the work is too challenging, then the students don’t feel capable of doing the work. As a teacher, you’re supposed to try to find that sweet spot where the work is just challenging enough that the students may struggle, but not so challenging that the students feel discouraged.

I have my students take notes pretty much every single class. Unfortunately, with being a middle school teacher, I have no idea what access these students have had to history education in elementary school. I am trying to build a level foundation for all my students to stand on. Taking notes is an effective way to do that. I always tell my students to write what they do not know. For some students, that may be writing one or two bullet points. For others, that means writing every single word on the screen. At first, many students made complaints or were scared by the amount of notes in class. However, I have explained to them why I have them take notes, and I also try to make notes the most difficult portion of the day. I received many complaints back in August and September because it was a challenge to my students; but now in February, my students have come to expect it. The complaints are down. Students take notes. I still get questions of “Do we have to write ALL of this?” But my students have come to expect that routine of me, even though it scared them originally.

The ZPD extends far beyond the classroom as well. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. That’s why it’s called the comfort zone. That is where you’re comfortable. It’s scary to do new things. But you are capable of more than you think.

It was scary my first day of teaching. But I’m in the same job almost 5 years later. It was scary my first lesson in martial arts. But I’ve been at it for four years and just tested for my second degree this past September.

While new things can be scary, for the most part, I think the risk is worth the reward. You can learn so much about yourself when you try new things. You learn what you are capable of, as well as your limits.

Now when I tell you to do things that scare you, I don’t necessarily mean that you have to do extreme activities. You’re allowed to have fear. And I will not encourage dangerous activities. But step outside your comfort zone just a little bit. Take a new class. Start a new hobby. Find a new job.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stay the same forever. This world has so much to offer. There are so many things to explore, to learn, or to discover.

In the same boat, I will also advocate for you to do things that you enjoy. Change, even good change, can be scary. I know people that have changed their careers. I’m sure it was scary, but if they’re happy, then it’s worth it. When I was in college, I did not take many of the same classes as other people in my major. It was a little scary at first because I would be in a class where I didn’t know anyone else. But some of my best memories came from those classes. It was definitely easier to find classes where I knew people, but that wasn’t always an option.

Like with many posts I write on here, I write this just as much for myself as I write it for you. I have to remind myself to try new things, even if they scare me. Being comfortable is easy, but I know that being comfortable is not the right option for my life and situation. I need this change, no matter how much it scares me.