It's not the mountain, it is the climb that is important.

If you are only happy at the summit, you're going to be unhappy most all the time, and only happy for a few moments at the top of the current summit before you realize: A) You can only go down from here; or B) There are higher peaks to climb (and you're soon unhappy because you're not at the top), or C) That's it, you're going to sit at this summit...and do what for the rest of your life?

I changed my attitude some years ago to enjoy the climb while still climbing. I think that may be the same thing you mean by only going 4% outside my comfort zone. Maybe I climb a bit slower than I used to (and sometimes have to downclimb to find a feasible route up) but I enjoy the climb.