I originally stumbled onto the learning zone model while researching on how to improve my coaching way back when I was still working freelance as a kayaking coach. Here's a video on how I eventually applied the learning zone model to my kayak coaching context (with some illustrations!): https://youtu.be/Id6wYKXsgLU Updated version of this slidedeck: https://www.slideshare.net/chanbingruikenneth/the-learning-zone-model-senninger-2000

2. Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone
In the comfort zone,
things are familiar.
It is a safe place to reflect
on knowledge and
experiences.

3. Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort Zone
Learning Zone
Where you grow and
learn.
You expand your comfort
zone as you become
familiar with what you
have learnt.

4. Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort Zone
Panic Zone
Learning is impossible.
Energy is spent managing
or controlling fear and
anxiety.

5. Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone
Learning Zone
Panic Zone
Learning is impossible.
Where you grow and
learn.
Safe place to reflect.

6. Can you identify the
zone each stick figure
is in?

7. Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone
Things are familiar, no
need to take any risks.
Ah… Nice and
shady.

8. Learning Zone
Learning Zone
Lies just outside of
comfort zone. Only
way to grow and
learn.
A little deeper
each time.

9. Panic Zone
Panic Zone
Moving too far away
from comfort zone,
beyond the learning
zone where fear and
anxiety takes over.
OMG!What have
I gotten myself
into?

10. Every individual’s threshold for each zone will
be different. It can also differ by situation.
Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort
Zone
Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort
Zone
Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort
Zone

11. Never push someone into the learning zone.
As you cannot see where it starts and ends.
Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort
Zone
Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort
Zone
Panic Zone
Learning Zone
Comfort
Zone