We’ve all been told the secret to success is to “work hard.”
But what if working harder—especially in the same way—was actually what’s keeping you stuck?
💡 That’s the big idea behind The Performance Paradox by Eduardo Briceño, a book I was asked to read for a monthly HR book club I attend. I expected it to be another solid-but-familiar leadership read. Instead, I was blown away by how relevant, practical, and eye-opening it was.
👉 Briceño explains that the more time we spend in the performance zone—trying to do things perfectly—the less time we spend in the learning zone, where real growth happens.
And that’s the paradox.
You want to get better… but you’re so focused on doing that you rarely pause to learn.
🧠 So what’s the difference?
- The performance zone is about executing, achieving results, and being evaluated.
- The learning zone is about practicing, experimenting, reflecting, and asking for feedback—without pressure to be perfect.
When you’re always in performance mode, there’s no space to evolve.
But if you make even small intentional shifts into the learning zone, you can accelerate your growth, confidence, and results.
🎤 How I’m applying this right now:
1️⃣ Expanding my confidence workshop
I recently had the opportunity to turn my one-hour confidence-building workshop into a half-day session—and I almost said no. Not because I didn’t want to do it, but because it felt out of my comfort zone.
But that exact feeling is a sign of the learning zone.
So I said yes—and then did the work:
✅ I reviewed past feedback
✅ I redesigned the flow of the session
✅ I practiced new delivery techniques
Will it be perfect? No. But I will learn. And this process will help me level up my skills in real time.
2️⃣ Getting real with feedback
For the last few months, I’ve been posting Marvelous Monday Motivation videos on YouTube. I had a solid rhythm. I was proud of the content.
Then, out of the blue, a YouTube strategist sent me unsolicited feedback. My first reaction? Ouch. Criticism is a huge trigger for me—it always has been.
But once I stepped back, I saw the gift in it. I started implementing changes that immediately made my videos more engaging and aligned.
Now I ask for feedback more often—and I actually use it.
3️⃣ Practicing what I preach
In every client session, I remind people: confidence grows through action. You can’t think your way into it—you have to practice it.
So I push myself to stay in the learning zone too. I ask for help. I test new formats. I reflect on what didn’t work and try again.
The result? I grow faster, and I feel more grounded in my work.
💡 Want to incorporate the learning zone into your week?
Here are 4 simple ways to start:
✅ Create space to reflect
Set aside 10–15 minutes each Friday to review: What worked? What didn’t? What did I learn?
✅ Ask for feedback
Invite someone you trust to share one honest suggestion for how you can improve in your work or leadership.
✅ Try one new thing this week
Run a meeting differently. Speak up in a new way. Rework an old idea. Focus on learning—not perfection.
✅ Celebrate tiny risks
Not just big wins—acknowledge the moments you stretched yourself. Growth lives there.
The truth is: being in the learning zone isn’t always comfortable. But it is where the magic happens.
That’s how you build real confidence. That’s how you unlock new levels of performance. And that’s how you stop plateauing—and start thriving.
Lots of love,
-Anna
P.S. You don’t have to do it alone. As an executive coach, I help clients design a growth path that feels purposeful—not just busy. Curious? Let’s chat.
