8 Reasons You Should Try New Things

By Sarah Lipoff

Updated on 5/21/2015 at 6:00 AM

Paid Content For

NBC's I Can Do That

POPSUGAR Photography / Matthew Barnes

POPSUGAR Photography | Matthew Barnes

It's not easy to break out of your regular routine, which is why we partnered with NBC's I Can Do That for this motivational post.

Maintaining your daily schedule is like a warm, cozy blanket. It's soft, secure, and totally predictable. But sometimes it's good to be left out in the cold, forcing you to try something new. When faced with challenges or unexpected changes, you're pushed to look for new solutions, which can result in surprising discoveries. We have eight motivational reasons to try something new.

You'll break out of your comfort zone.

Most of us avoid change because doing something unfamiliar is uncomfortable. But there's a first time for everything. Start with a small step, like walking a different route to work, and then move to bigger things, like accepting an unexpected dinner invitation or taking on new challenges at work. Every new change takes courage, resulting in a boost of confidence — so don't get overwhelmed!

You'll gain knowledge.

Doing something outside of your regular routine might also lead you down a path of new experiences. And with that comes greater knowledge and understanding of what's around you. Sure, you might feel unsure at first, but when you take yourself out of your comfort zone, there's a whole new world to explore and learn about.

You won't have any regrets.

Stop yourself from sharing that fateful feeling of regret later in life and do something different. Taking action is a challenge — but one with lifelong results. Dreaming of traveling Europe? Make a plan of action. Putting yourself out there is a risk, but you'll discover you can survive and achieve new goals. And that's a win.

You might discover unknown talents.

I have serious karaoke phobia. Spending the night singing along while friends belt it out is so much fun, but the thought of getting up on that stage and making my way through a song? Nope. Is there any real reason I'm afraid? Nope — it's all in my head. The next opportunity you have to try something out of your comfort zone, grab it. You might discover a hidden talent or activity you love.

Being spontaneous boosts creativity.

Stop sticking with your daily routine and toss in a bit of spontaneity, which actually boosts your brain. Taking the time to improvise or just spend some time not really working so hard can provide some of the most creative solutions to daily problems and challenges. And being spontaneous brings rewarding clarity to your work and life.

You'll gain confidence.

Trying something new is a big boost to your self-confidence. Along with proving you won't fail, a change of direction ups your self-worth. It's like that feeling you get when you finally cross something off your to-do list and then have extra time for yourself.

You might meet someone new.

Even if you're not searching for a soul mate or a hot date, you might make a new friend while trying something new. And you can never have too many friends — especially if they turn into a close confidant who helps you through tough times.

You'll learn more about your friends.

Taking risks is tough, so leaning on your friends is a must. And while you're working hard at challenging yourself, you will learn more about those you care about. Just a small change of perspective helps you see their value, which is a lesson that leaves you with so much appreciation.