How Do You Get The Courage To Try Something New?

What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but never had the ‘cojones’ to try? Get a tattoo, go skydiving, take a road trip across the United States of America – whatever it may be, we’ve all got a bucket list of things to try that just continue going unchecked for various reasons. Your reasons may very well be valid but your desire is still there, untempered by time. In fact, maybe some of you feel that the desire has INCREASED over time. So how do you get to a place where you can take on these new and probably exciting endeavors? (Excluding all illegal or non-beneficial activity. We’re not here to encourage you to kill your neighbor’s cat or something sadistic like that.)

1. Do some research. Figure out, from all possible angles, the implications of your endeavor. Ask yourself whether or not you’re being reasonable. Talk to a couple friends you trust about what you want to do and if they’re aghast, reconsider. Google it. Lurk around a forum until you get a better idea of what you’re really in for.  Sit on the idea for a week and see how you feel about it then. Basically, absorb as much information as you can and don’t be biased about it. Learn the consequences as well as the benefits. Try to get your mind wrapped around the entirety of the endeavor and if you’re still not fazed by it, move on to step 2.

2. Let it be known. The best way to not back down from something is to vocalize it. From the highways to the byways, let it be known. Hype it up. Verbalize it. Let as many friends as you can know about it and pretty soon, you’ll be in a hole where you’ll just HAVE to follow through with it. Your pride is on the line and boy, shame and peer pressure can really kick you in the butt when you’re letting yourself dwell on second thoughts. You’ve already thought it over and understood the commitment and the consequences, so why not just GO for it? The only thing holding you back is yourself.

3. Partner up. Get someone to do it with you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve uttered the words, “I’ll do it if you do it!”, only to follow through with something I kinda, sorta, half-heartedly wanted to do but didn’t have the guts to do alone. You’re obviously already smitten with the idea; you just need someone to come along for the ride. If you can convince yourself, you can certainly convince someone else. Once you’ve got that partner in crime, you’re both going to feel enabled and excited about the prospect of finally taking on one of your lifelong challenges. Congratulations! At this point, your task is as good as done!

With that being said, I’ve just signed up for NaNoWriMo with two of my good friends. If you don’t know what the heck that is, here’s the rundown. It’s an annual contest held through the month of November. The task: write a 175-page novel (50,000 words!) by midnight, Novemeber 30. You can only write through the month of November. It’s not a content-driven contest; it’s all about output. I’m already assuming my content will be convoluted drivel that I’ll never be able to seriously look back at but when else am I ever going to attempt to write a full-length novel? So here goes nothing. Who’s with me? Sign up and add me (myclue) as your writing buddy!

What are some things you’ve never been able to try but are willing to attempt now?