Stretching Yourself

It's easy to do the same thing over and over again. Most of us know we are paid for our expertise. But stretching yourself and learning new things has a lot of benefits. Even if it doesn't relate to your job - stretching yourself to learn a skill can help you in many ways.

It exercises your brain. Giving your brain new ways to think and trying different things is like a new workout for your body. It's fun but challenging - and something we should all give our brains a chance at doing regularly.

It's a self-confidence boost. Sometimes we shoehorn ourselves as certain skill sets. Learning a new skill shows you that you can do other things, tackle new projects. It puts a new tool in your toolbox.

Failure sometimes can mean success. Not everything you try is going to be a slam dunk - and this is often why adults avoid learning new things: they figure they could fail and failing things feels bad. But it also teaches us. It reminds us what we love to do and what we don't. Sometimes it is a sign that you'd rather be doing something else. Other times it can point you in a new direction you never knew existed.

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take." -- Gretsky

(c) photo Glenn Pebley