I upvoted.. this is a great statement..

"I tend to think that most personal growth occurs when we are pushed well outside of our comfort zones."

You are right.

As an example...

Here is a perspective of reality that pushes most people well outside their comfort zone... and personal growth can occur.

https://steemit.com/life/@elevatedthinking/a-wandering-mind-on-history-s-timeline-no-6-are-you-for-change-do-you-know-anything-about-what-is-truly-going-on-this-is-what-s