You’re trying to study for a test you have in a week, but for some reason you aren’t able to sit down for say an hour and study. Here’s where you have to pay attention and make a choice. Is it too challenging? Perhaps you could split it up into smaller, easier sections. Is it too easy? Maybe try solving some more advanced problems on the same topic. In this particular case, we can only try and adjust the challenge because it is unlikely that you would be able to significantly up your skill level for the test in a week.

When planning out an activity in the long term, it is easier to go counter-clockwise on the graph than it is to go clockwise as you would quickly face a lot of anxiety. The problem with going counter-clockwise is that you can get stuck in the comfort zone. The zone of relaxation is something that most of us inevitably cling to. It is human tendency to find the easy way and stick to it. We aren’t reaching our potential here and this often happens without us noticing.

The way to get better at anything is to consistently push the limits of your ability in that thing. Be it by swimming a few extra meters to improve your lung capacity or progressively increasing weights to get better at the gym. There’s something particularly glorious about pushing the limits. It’s been in our fables for centuries. The hero who pushes his limits to overcome the adversary. We root for the superhero in movies who, in the most dire situation, pushes his limits to save the city. There is something in us that is inherently drawn towards this and it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Overcoming that little bit of discomfort for the greater good is something that we must strive for. This could even be putting yourself in situations that you normally wouldn’t get into. Maybe talk to that person you’ve always been avoiding? Perhaps do that thing you’ve been putting off for so long? In either case, by stepping out of your comfort zone you’re gaining more in the long term.