Get organized to try something new
Looking to become more cultured and well versed? Trying something new may be the riveting answer to your itch. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a good way to find new interests, meet new people, and appreciate life. Plus you’ll have fun! No one want’s to look at their life in hindsight and see the same thing every day. What are the stories that you want to tell your grandchildren?— I doubt they involve slaving over spreadsheets or answering phone calls. Cultivating a memory can be as easy as a quick mental trip; simply think about something you thought would be exiting and cool, and start planning to do it.
Without a little organizing, however, your new experience can turn you away from the unfamiliar for good. Trying new things doesn’t have to be a drain, it can (and should) be exciting and fun.
Here are some tips on how to organize yourself to ensure that your new experience is a fun, safe and memorable one.
1. Be realistic:
Don’t waste your time, health, or money setting yourself up for failure. Before you dive in, honestly assess your current skill set. Are you physically prepared to conquer Mount Everest? Do you think you can handle surfing a 50-foot wave? If you aren’t quite ready for the big time, take a baby step in the direction you’d ultimately like to be in. Hike a local mountain trail that you can complete in an afternoon or taking a lesson in small surf.
2. Research, Research, Research (research):
One of the best activities to increase the chances of first time success is, unsurprisingly enough, research. Through research, you can test drive any activity vicariously. Watching someone paraglide online could give you a better understanding of the necessary body movements and posture – and whether or not you will like it at all. Reading your favorite blog might give you some inspiration to start your own. Free online tutorials for just about anything can be found with a simple search on your favorite engine. Take advantage of the digital age that we live in and extensively research your activity. Just be sure to put a limit on the amount of time you spend researching – you don’t want to spend so much time online that you never get to do the activity you’re dreaming of completing.
3. Create a materials checklist:
If you’re trying something for the first time you may not know or have key items, like hiking boots. Consult the experts and create a list of items that you will need to try your activity for the first time. If you can, borrow what you need from a friend or family member. If you can’t do that, be sure to just buy the essentials, as you don’t want to make a massive investment in equipment for an activity that you may decide is not your cup of tea after trying it.
4. Prepare for the worst possible outcome:
This is not to say that you need to go out of your way completing your living will, increasing your insurance policy, or saying goodbye to friends and loved ones, but it is a good idea to prepare for the worst possible outcome when you are trying something new. Is it your first time fishing in a boat? Wear a life vest. First time snowboarding? Bring some extra padding and layers (trust us, you will fall…a lot). Cooking a complicated cuisine? Have a quick emergency fix in the fridge. Simply put, if you are trying something for the first time, don’t show up like an expert—have some humility and plan for a little failure. Ironically, this very step is likely to make you more likely to keep at your new activity until you have mastered it.
5. Get your Materials Ready the Night Before and Arrive Early (If applicable):
Getting new-activity materials ready the night before is essential to preventing any last minute mix-ups. Hang your outfit, and pack the trunk of your car with any required equipment. If the activity that you’re planning to do has a meeting time, then wake up early and plan to arrive sooner than you would for a usual meeting. Not only will an early arrival eliminate any extra stress that traffic on the road might cause, you’ll become more comfortable with your surroundings before you begin your new activity.
