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Ok, we know growth stems from discomfort but now what? I still dont know what my next step willbeLets face it, growth isnt this linear, magical path we often wish it was. Sure, discomfort pushes us forward, but that doesnt mean we have all the answers now that weve stepped into that uncertain space.Im right there with you. Ive been standing at the edge of whats next? wondering if Ive learned all the lessons, tackled all the demons of discomfort, or if theres some cosmic, obvious next move waiting to slap me in theface.The truth? No, theres no clear-cut next step. And thats exactly why its hard, and thats the point. (Ive read that from some wise human in a book:/)Personal wallpaper conceptLife always gives us what we need, not always what wewant.Ive youre like me, you live a comfortable life and career, yet somehow you feel stuck at the same time. Weird isntit?The world asks us to be comfortable, to have it figured out, to stick to the script. We inhabit a society that conditions us to avoid failure at all costs, a lesson ingrained in us from the moment were young. The education system rewards getting the right answers while punishing mistakes with bad grades, turning the learning process into a game of perfection rather than progress. Parents (often with good intentions) shield their children from failure, stepping in too soon to fix problems. Achievements are praised, but effort is overlooked, reinforcing the belief that success is about results rather than resilience.This mindset carries into adulthood, shaping workplace culture. Employees learn quickly that taking risks can backfire, and that companies celebrate flawless execution but rarely reward bold attempts that dont succeed. Playing it safe becomes the norm, stifling innovation before it even has a chance. The fear of judgment keeps many from trying new things, from sharing imperfect work, and from showing the messy reality ofgrowth.This fear of failure holds people back even in design, where creativity should thrive. Designers stick to best practices, lean on established frameworks, and chase pixel perfection, but rarely are they encouraged to experiment openly, to fail in public, to iterate with uncertainty. The unspoken rule? Dont risk looking like you dont know what youredoing.And yet, thats exactly where real growth happensoutside the polished, predictable, andsafe.It whispers that discomfort is dangerous, that mistakes define us, that we should remain within our safe, predictable boundaries and never venture beyond. For years, I surrendered to this narrativeshy, paralyzed by the fear of failure, ignoring that persistent inner voice urging me toward a greaterpurpose.And it wasnt just in life; it was in my design work, too. I stuck to what was familiar. I relied on tried-and-true methods. I stuck with companies because they offered a steady paycheck over enjoying my work. At a certain point, I feared going back to freelance or joining startups because what if it didnt work? What if it looked ridiculous? What if I failed in front of everyone?Thats the exact moment we usually hit that wall. Your comfort zone is the space (real, or in your mind) that you have carved out for yourself that makes you feelsafe.We usually have two choices: stay where we are or lean into the discomfort andgrow.Personal design for a wallpaper seriesBut heres the ugly truth: comfort kills ambition.The very moment weve crossed over into growth, the rules change. Now, its not about chasing comfort or being seen as a proits about getting comfortable with not knowing what comes next. Its about accepting that your growth doesnt have to look like anyone elses and that sometimes, its a series of small, messy leaps, not grand, calculated steps.So how do we deal withthat?By facing it. Oh boy, is thathard!So how do we deal withthat?Accept that uncertainty is your new bestfriend.When youre feeling that pull to play it safe, recognize it as an invitation to do something bold. The world wont hand you a roadmap. Theres no master plan, no perfect timing. Growth is about making decisions in spite of uncertainty, not waiting for all the stars toalign.2. Rewire your thinking about what it means to arrive.Weve been conditioned to think that one day, well hit this magic Ive made it moment. But the truth is, you dont arrive. You evolve. You keep pushing, shifting, and transforming. Stop waiting for permission to take that next step. Stop expecting that itll all make sense. It wont. But it will be worthit.3. Make discomfort yourally.When you get that feeling of What now? I dont know whats next, instead of freezing, lean into it. This is where your most important next step is hiding. I used to fight that feeling, but now, Ive learned that its my signal to dig deeper, to try something wildly new, or to refine something I thought was already done. Growth doesnt always look like forward movementit often looks like reworking what youve alreadystarted.4. Lead with courage, not certainty.Heres the kicker: You dont need to have every piece of the puzzle figured out to lead. Courage beats certainty every time. Ive watched my most successful colleagues, not because they had all the answers, but because they made bold decisions in the face of the unknown and inspired others to do the same. That is leadership.16 UX and UI Design Tips That Always Deliver GrowthStefIvanovGrowthbeyond learning newtoolsGrowth, especially in the fast-evolving world of design, requires more than just mastering new tools or trends. Its about navigating the uncomfortable spaces of leadership, collaboration, and influence, where discomfort pushes you to stretch beyond the familiar.In design, as in life, growth comes from friction. Its in those moments where you feel completely out of your depth that you evolve. But most of us dont want to go there. We tend to avoid projects that feel too complex. We often resist learning new tools because it makes us feel like a beginner again. And lets face it, that sucks. We cling to what we know instead of exploring what couldbe.In his article Reflections on leadership, growth, and design: Lessons from my journey at xccelerate, Kaleb cardenas Z shares insights from his tenure as Service Design Lead and UX Instructor, highlighting the continuous growth he experienced in theseroles.For a long time, I was no different. Until I wasnt. I havent fully solved it yet, but Im trying hard to have faith in what life throws at me. I intentionally put myself into uncomfortable situations so that I get better at adapting notcoping.My journey of transformation began when I deliberately sought theunknown:Challenging my limits 30 feet underwater, holding mybreathSharing vulnerable content before millions (including haters)Embracing new sports despite initial incompetenceVenturing into unfamiliar territorymoving my family to Mexico, learning a new language, opening a dropshipping store with mykidsTesting my physical and mental boundaries through ancestral medicine, cold exposure, breathwork practices, and rigorous trainingregimenTrying to abandon the safe path and follow my intuitionDoing daily icebathsAnd, just as importantly, I began taking risks in my designcareer:Designing in styles I had no prior experience withStarting having different conversationsPitching bold ideas in rooms where I felt unqualifiedAdopting new design tools forced me back into a beginnermindsetSaying yes to projects before I felt ready (this isbig)Challenging industry norms instead of playing itsafeThese experiences taught me something fundamental: growth is never comfortable. But comfort is a slow death for creativity and innovation.The greatestinsightFear isnt concrete realityits a protective narrative generated by yourego.But heres the paradox: safety and growth cannotcoexist.If evolution is your goal, discomfort must become yourcompass.This is exactly whats shaking many of us right now. The design game has changed and I sometimes dont know where I fit anymore. With the speed at which tech evolves, AI, the great unknown in front of us is challenging us all to rethink our next step andmove.This applies to design just as much as it applies to life. If you want to stand out in your field, stop playing itsafe.Safe ideas are forgettableSafe designs blend into thenoiseSafe careersstagnateSafe gets youknowhereAnd heres what most people dont tell you: advancing in your career isnt just about perfecting your craft. The difference between junior and senior designersor senior and principalisnt just skill. Its soft skills. Its how well you navigate relationships, how you influence decisions, and how you bridge the gap between design, engineering, andproduct.Your pixel-perfect design doesnt matter if you cant get buy-in from developers and PMs to bring it to life. Once I realized that, the gamechanged.The best designers arent just great at designing. Theyre great at leading, persuading, and collaborating. Thats what sets themapart.Personal podcast template Framer design explorationThe formula for transformationThe breakthrough equation is simpler than you mightthink:Self-awareness + Self-compassionSelf-awareness demands brutalhonesty:What patterns keep youtrapped?What truths are you avoiding?Where are you choosing comfort over potential?Self-compassion recognizes that perfection isnt the goal. Growth isnt about self-criticismits about acknowledging your limitations while moving forward regardless.This shift in mindset changed everything for me. Instead of beating myself up for not being as good as other designers, I started asking myself, What can I learn from them? Instead of dreading the feeling of being a beginner again, I started embracing it. Instead of viewing imposter syndrome as a sign to stop, I started seeing it as proof I was in the right placeat the edge of my current abilities, where real growthhappens.Demystifying successStop idealizing others. Those you admire encountered obstacles too. The only meaningful distinction? Persistence through difficulty.The best designers, the most successful creators, the people who make a lasting impactthey dont have some magical talent that others dont. They simply keep pushing past the discomfort that stops most people in theirtracks.Your invitationToday, I challenge you: Step deliberately into discomfort.Dine alone in a crowded restaurant.Embrace the shock of a coldshower.Publish that controversial post youve been holdingback.Experiment with a completely new designstyle.Apply for that dream job, even if you dont feelready.Schedule a 1:1 with a developer or PM and build thatbridge.Do something that accelerates your heartbeat. Because your authentic lifeand your most impactful workbegins precisely where your comfort zoneends.The design game has changed and I dont know where I fit anymore maybe thats exactly it. We dont fit in anymore, and that could be a sign to create our own reality and dare to do that thing weve always putoff.The question is: Will you choosegrowth?Life Begins At the End of Your Comfort Zone. Here's Why.https://positivepsychology.com/comfort-zone/Essential Soft Skills for UX DesignersReflections on Leadership, Growth, and Design: Lessons from My Journey as Chief Experience OfficerLeading Beyond Authority: The Power of Influence in Design LeadershipBreathing techniques | Wim Hof MethodFear is the Usual State of the Ego, But We Can OvercomeGrowth begins where comfort ends. Yes, its easier said than done. was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
