12 months = 12 new opportunities to stimulate my brain

Want to keep your mind flexible and sharp and feeling stimulated by life? Give it a healthy dose of the new, interesting, and unusual.

It's easy to get so focused on whatever it is we're trying to achieve, or whatever obligations we need to meet, that our experience of the world becomes a little monochromatic.

Not only can this lead to boredom, but it can also make it challenging to adjust and adapt to new situations. Because at the same time as we have to put energy into adapting to the new situation (or creating it), we also have to put energy into busting out of the inertia of the same ol' same ol'.

Yesterday, I started a wood shop class at one of the local community colleges. I took a couple shop classes as a young pup in my teens, which I loved, but I haven't done anything with it since. The class will definitely be something "new and unusual" for me.

Though it wasn't my intention when I signed up, that class is going to be the beginning of my grand experiment for 2008. Every month I'm going to take a class or a workshop on something new and unfamiliar that has nothing to do with my day-to-day world.

The idea came while browsing the local classes listed on craigslist. There are so many interesting things that I could dabble in and learn about. I feel like a kid in a candy store.

I could take a silversmithing class, or a workshop on a native plants. I could learn to do the lindy hop, take a pottery class, or cook up a mean Thai dish. The possibilities are nearly endless.

And everything I learn about expands my worldview, stimulates my brain, and keeps my perspective fresh. Not a bad deal, eh?

How about you? What would you do? What would you learn?

 

Check out 101 Ways to Get Wild About Work

Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst ^TM

 

Comments

[sarah]

Hi Curt,

Oh, I love taking classes! It's not expensive. It's just spending a few hours.

The hardest thing I think? To be brave enough to go into a totally unfamiliar space. And be vulnerable to learn and not know. To risk feeling like a fool.

I have been learning how needy we can be. And yet, realizing this, it's easier to recognize it happening. And then, choose authentically. (and cradle or care for yourself when you're taking risks!)

Thanks, Curt!!

Warmly,
sarah

[Curt Rosengren]

Sarah, that's definitely one of the biggest challenges (for me, anyway). It's funny how in one scenario when I'm in my element I can be feel so self-assured and confident, and in another where I'm not in my comfort zone I can feel like a fish out of water.

The cool thing, though, is that feeling goes away as I settle into it and get more familiar with it. Which is a good lesson in itself, I'd say.

[Akemi - Gratitude Magic]

Excellent new year's resolution! Systematic distraction! I like the idea and will be watching how you are keeping up with it.

[Curt Rosengren]

LOL. Systematic distraction. Nicely put. :-D