Comfort is a misunderstood word in English. What one deems as comfort may be discomfort for another and vice versa. More than looking out for comfort and strategizing for it. It would be best to know what constitutes comfort for the self and others.
I would like to place two scenarios. One in which the self’s comfort will ensure that the task at hand is done in order. In another, in which the other’s comfort will ensure that the relationship and the task at collective hands are done to order.
Both the above scenarios require different skillsets and aim for strategizing the comfort zone of operation. In the case of daily life which not only includes professional, personal, and social interaction and trade-offs. How much we are willing to negotiate, give in for common well-being decides the targeted comfort aimed for the self and the others.
Comfort for the Self Assigned or Given Individual Task
Sometimes you will be doing a self-assigned or immediate supervisor assigned tasks that require working alone. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the individual to make the required personal comfort in accomplishing the task. In such a situation the onus falls on the individual alone and needed material to accomplish the task.
To give an example. I might self-assign tracking down the list of tasks for a project completion. I write down in sheet or excel all the project tasks and when they should begin and end. What coordinates are required to begin the next sequenced task or tasks? This might work for the Waterfall method of Project tracking and management.
Of course, some tasks can be started simultaneously which may or may not end at the same time. So, then creating the cheat sheet or excel sheet gives me a general idea of how my daily life is structured until the project is considered complete.
Tasks Are Assigned for a Team
The above scenario could be expanded and say the team of involved persons get together and brainstorm and provide the required information which is then compiled into an excel sheet for the project as a team. Now the variable would be that there is more than one controllable individual working on it.
It becomes important to keep the communication rolling so that the team as a unit is aware of when to expect slump and how to ramp up the project tasks. The elimination of slump may not be possible, but it could be controlled if there is proper communication channel among the participants of the group activities.
The singular aim for reaching the goal of project completion belongs to all involved then the comfort is about everyone involved in the project. Tracking in such cases might not be that easy but tracking must be done. The best way to understand the dynamics of group activities and their targeted outcomes requires consulting with comfort for all. By keeping the task not centrally controlled but distributed over other people involved gives a sense of security of due diligence.
Personal Projects and Comfort Zones
The above scenario was about a big project in a professional setting. The same principle could be used for personal tasks too. Say you want to meet up with a few friends from work, school, or university. You take the initiative to meet up with them then you would plan for it.
If the plan were to just meet one of your friends then it would be just to match both your free time and meet up close to where both of you work and live. It could be a place where both of you often pass through, and a transit intersect happens in both your daily commute. In this case, it is simply two people’s comfort needs to think of and to work out a common intersecting point.
A Date With the Self
The personal plans would require scheduling the best outcome for two people unlike a plan for your own self-improvement. This is reversed for a plan for the self alone. Say you want to learn a new skill, and you are a person who can study by yourself then all that you need to do is set a particular time. You become comfortable using the time for learning new skills.
It could be a hobby, or improving your health and well-being, whichever is going to be your choice needs time and space to accomplish it within your existing schedule of professional and personal ones. There are ways to plan for all that you wish to do with your time and make effective progress both personally and professionally.
Teamed Up Learning or Skill Acquisition
Sometimes you might want to learn something new with others or friends. In a way to accomplish both the needs to spend some time with friends while learning a new skill. It could be difficult to get others also involved.
Much brainstorming is needed for common interests, time, place, and availability. All these requirements need to be cross referenced with your friends. Examples would be getting together with your friends who are available to accept learning new craft skills or if you already have a common craft then make craft items using that skill.
It could be artwork, or painting and setting meeting twice a week or during weekends to create new paintings which are unique to the individual. This kind of commitment requires consensus from all involved friends and interested people to join a painting club that was created for it.
Strategizing With Inner Reference
It really helps to plan and be ready for any change of plan with backup so that the goal of your personal or professional projects are achieved. This I believe will give you comfort in your daily life. Sometimes it is also true that you could freestyle an entire day by taking up new things on the run.
Meaning to say, a structured plan will be good; but if you allow for some surprises in your personal days, it would be wonderful to have that too. Yes, I know planning helps to give structure to the day; but sometime when we wing it, then that is also pleasure giving for the individuals.
Gaining comfort from the surprise change in plan is also to be experienced to understand that life is a mystery of things, people, place, and time.
Itinerant Storyteller 