The Steady Uncomfortable

It's an old refrain in exercise: 

• If your training is easy compared to your skill level, your fitness will decline.
• If your training is moderate and comfortable, your fitness will stay the same.
• If you training is uncomfortably difficult, your level of fitness will improve.

It's true in physical fitness, and naturally it's true everywhere.

If you stick to the safe topics in your relationships, they will remain about the same.  If you stretch yourself by asking earnest questions and sharing your hopes and fears, your relationships will become deeper and more complex.

If you stick to the professional tasks & responsibilities you know you can do well, you'll be respected but probably won't develop very quickly.  If you regularly take on next tasks that are over your head, you will fail more often and develop more quickly.

There's nothing wrong with doing what's familiar and comfortable. But if it's growth and development you're seeking, help yourself become accustomed to a steady dose of the uncomfortable.