Are you the type of person who is always sticking to the things that are familiar to you?
Do you find it hard to try new things, even if they seem really interesting?
If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to step outside their comfort zone and try something new.
Trying something new every now and then can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Not only can trying new things help us learn and grow as individuals, but it can also help us expand our horizons and discover new passions that can shape our lives going forward.
So how can we find the motivation to try new things? Let’s discuss.
What is motivation?
Simply put, motivation is your desire or willingness to do something.
It’s that driving force that makes you take action and achieve your goals.
It’s quite normal to experience a lack of motivation from time to time. Life events like stress at work or home, financial difficulties and health problems can all sap our motivation levels.
How to get motivated and stay motivated
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for increasing and maintaining your motivation levels.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways that you can try to get motivated and explore new things. Here are a few suggestions:
- Make a list of all the reasons why trying something new is beneficial. For example, trying new foods can help you expand your culinary horizons, trying new activities can help you stay active.
- Think about all the times in your life when you tried something new and it paid off. It might have been trying new food that you ended up loving or taking a chance on a new job.
- Set realistic goals and don’t overstretch yourself. It’s important to set measurable targets that aren’t overwhelming. For example, if you’re trying to learn a new instrument, try learning one new song a week.
- Join communities and forums. There will be lots of people feeling the exact same way as you do. Being part of a community can help you and others to build up motivation.
- Hold yourself accountable. Whether it’s logging in a daily journal or setting regular reminders, holding yourself accountable will help you to stick to trying new things.
- Find a role model. It can be really helpful to see somebody else trying new things and succeeding. This could be a friend, family member or even somebody famous that you admire. Seeing other people trying new things can give you the motivation to do the same.
What happens if I lose motivation again?
Don’t worry – it’s perfectly normal to lose motivation after trying something new. If you find yourself struggling, here are a few tips that might help:
- Talk to somebody else who is trying new things. They will understand what you’re going through and can offer helpful advice.
- Revisit your reasons for wanting to try new things in the first place.
- Make sure your goals are specific and measurable. Vague goals are harder to stay motivated for.
- Revisit your plan of action – what steps do you need to take to achieve your goal? Breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks will make it feel less daunting.
- Set deadlines and reward yourself for completing mini-goals along the way.
- Be patient – remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Why trying new things is important
It can be easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same things day in and day out.
Trying new things can help you break out of that rut and add some excitement back into your life. It can bring you to meet new people and open your mind. It can also help you learn more about yourself and what you’re truly capable of.
Even if trying new things doesn’t work out the way you’d hoped, it’s still a really valuable learning experience. You can take what you learned and apply it to life. So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone – you might just surprise yourself.
If anyone else has tried (or is trying) something similar, reach out to them for support. It can be helpful to talk to someone who is going through the same thing as you or has already been through it.
Final thoughts
Trying new things can be scary, but also really rewarding.
If you’re lacking in motivation, try to remember the reasons why you wanted to try something in the first place. And if all else fails, just take it one step at a time. Small steps can lead to big changes.
Try committing to a new hobby or skill for 30 days before deciding if you want to continue or not. This can be a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone without feeling like you’re committing to something that you won’t enjoy.
What new things have you been wanting to try? Let us know in the comments below!