REED 1
Nathan Reed
Mr. Hanley
English 12
06 May 2014
6. Synthesis Essay
I have chosen a poem and four quotes regarding leadership. The poem that I
have chosen is “My Comfort Zone” by and unknown author. The four quotes that I
have chosen are from various infamous successful people and the book “Maus” by
Art Sterligberg. The common thread that links them all together is the thought
pattern of never giving up and to always try even if you have failed in the past.
The poem “My Comfort Zone” is inspiring to me because it identifies exactly how I
feel. In summary, the poem is about someone who is afraid of failure, so they choose
to do nothing and remain in their comfort zone. I hate failing. I hate appearing
stupid to others and I hate feeling stupid. Therefore, I stay in my comfort zone. The
poem is a great reflection of leadership. Having leadership is having the ability to
learn from your mistakes. If you are able to learn from your mistakes you will be
able to identify how the mistakes were made. Which will make you a better leader
for someone who maybe lost and confused and in need of help and direction. The
poem also explained how staying in your comfort zone creates a situation where
there is no growth- experiences and achievements. Staying in a comfort zone robs
REED 2
you of valuable experiences and achievements. The poem tells you to face your
fears and step out of the box towards success.
MY COMFORT ZONE
By Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.
I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.
If you’re in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you! (www.affirmations-for-success.com)
The quotes I picked from the book “Maus” also expresses taking chances and
stepping out of the comfort zone. The book “Maus” is about a Holocaust survivor
sharing his stories of survival. Throughout the book the father spoke of taking risk
while others stayed where they were out of fear. No one wanted to take risk or to
try something new to survive. They were not in a comfort zone but they were in a
familiar zone- alive and filled with fear of the unknown and what’s to come.
“Show to me your pencil and I can explain you…such things it’s good to know
REED 3
exactly how was it – just in case….” (I.4.112).
This quote from the book shows you how surviving the Holocaust affected many of
its survivors. The ones that took risk, where the ones that thought ahead and
prepared fro the worst.
“I learned a little shoe fixing watching how they worked when I was with my
cousin in Miloch, there in the ghetto shoe shop […] You see? It’s good to know
how to do everything.” (II.2.50)
Vladek’s helps his son Art visualize how life was in the concentration camps, and
the necessity of learning new skills and trades as a trade-off for a “life” for a
provided “service.” Vladek did not wait for the Jews to get him, he went to them
selling the idea- he went outside of his comfort zone.
In conclusion, the two remaining quotes are from famous people. These quotes
support the poem and the quotes from the book “Maus.” The quote by Winston
Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that
counts.” explains what Vladek had to do to survive. He ran into several incidents
that he failed or did not work out, but he continued to try and eventually he
succeeded. The other quote is from Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind can conceive
and believe, it can achieve.” Valdek wanted to live and be free. He refused to give up
and he often imagined being free with his family again. Eventually it happened for
him (www.goodreads.com).
REED 4
Work Cite
Spiegelman, Art. Maus: A Survivor's Tale. New York: Pantheon Books, 1986. Print.
Success Poem | Affirmations for Success:http://www.affirmations-forsuccess.com/success-poem.html