Benefits of habit “Try new things”

✓ Trying new things helps you become more self-confident
✓ Depending on the activity it can reduce stress as well as improve personal skills
✓ It gives you a wider worldview and chances to meet people
✓ It makes you more relatable as a person
✓ Depending on the activity, maybe earn more money

First step:

Try 1 new thing this week

Progress:

1. The key is knowing. Examine yourself and list what you would want to learn the most. Set aside an appropriate amount of time for the type of activity you want to do (i.e. 2 hours to learn coding, an hour for dance classes) for one day this week.
2. Start reserving more time in your schedule for this new activity, in different days, for each subsequent week. Do it until you are happy with the results.

Helpful tips to make it a habit:

✓ Time of day is important. Whatever activity you choose to take, make sure it takes place on the same time or day of the week. That way, your brain will automatically remember to do it as part of its routine.
✓ Reminders will help. Physical reminders and motivations will help you keep at the new activity. If it’s sports, put your gear in visible place to remind yourself to go to practice. If it’s an art form, perhaps a poster or picture will help trigger your mind going to classes.
✓ Make it a challenge. Use the app to openly challenge your friends to develop same habit OR make your own goal public with consequences in case of failure. Make up your own consequences, something that you wouldn’t want to do no matter what.
✓ Set a reminder. This app can be helpful if you set a reminder on it.
✓ Reward yourself. In short term, after every time you consciously chose this habit, pat yourself on the back and tell yourself how awesome you just did. In long term, once you finish off a month of trying more and more new things every week, take a break or buy yourself something you always wanted, related to the activity. You did good. Celebrate that!

Tips for beginners:

✓ Find a routine. Think of your daily routine and chose a habit you already have that trying out new things can follow naturally. For example, at the end of each day, have everything necessary for the new activity ready for next day – make it into end of day ritual.
✓ Balance is key. The point of trying new things is to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and at times that can be scary. It is ok to back down but be mindful how often you do that. Too many activities started and very few finished are a sign you need to re-evaluate yourself.
✓ Know yourself. You will need to know what you want to do and what you can do. List down what excites you as well as what scares you.
✓ Set goals. When starting something new, what are you trying to achieve? Knowledge, health, mindfulness? Then strive to achieve these goals. It can be hard at times, but you must be willing to push through. At the same time, not everyone is meant for absolutely everything.
✓ You can try picking up two new activities at the same time. Try balancing a sedentary one (i.e. learning how to draw) with an active one (i.e. jogging).
Implement what you learn. Colleague’s computer is acting up? Use those long hours spent learning how to fix issues with Windows. Company is organizing a charity run? Time to run those miles for a good cause.