Today I came across a simple but powerful framework to check in with your mental state—and shift it when needed.

Ask yourself three questions:

• What’s my comfort zone?
• What’s my drive zone?
• What’s my danger zone?

Usually, we hang out in one of these zones for too long. The key is knowing when—and how—to move between them.

The danger zone is the one to watch out for. That’s where you feel triggered, anxious, or under threat. You don’t want to stay there long.

The drive zone is where you’re focused, energized, and making progress. That’s where growth happens. But even that needs to be balanced with your comfort zone—the one where you rest, recover, feel safe, and reconnect with yourself.

The trick is to build awareness:
→ Notice which zone you’re in.
→ Learn what helps you switch.
→ Use the comfort and drive zones to pull yourself out of the danger zone when it shows up.

Sometimes, when you’re stuck in danger, you may need to jump directly into the drive zone to break the cycle. Other times, it’s rest that gets you back on track.

Either way, having tools for all three zones helps you move forward—not just spin your wheels.