Why You Should Branch Out and Try New Things

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Why You Should Branch Out and Try New Things

Have you ever seen someone do something and thought, “I could never do that”? I think most everyone has. I know I’ve done it. I’ve told myself I could never do a lot of things, like succeed in a sales position, get better at math, or pursue a major that isn’t writing-centric. But as I look back on all the things I told myself I couldn’t do, I regret not trying more new things or sticking with them. Here are four reasons to try new things:

Reasons to Try New Things

1. You’ll Probably Regret Never Trying.

I wish I’d taken more time to play the piano as a child, but I was convinced I’d never succeed in music or need the skill. Now, I completely and utterly regret the decision. I wish I could wind back time and work hard at every piano lesson I attended. I’m sure you have a similar story. Wouldn’t it have been worth it if we’d both pursued what we gave up?

2. Generally, It Doesn’t Really Matter if You Fail.

Fear of failure is one of the number one reasons people don’t try something. But often, failing isn’t detrimental. So, you write a few short stories and novels, and they never get published. Oh, well! You tried, and probably had fun writing. Or maybe you started painting, and your first “masterpiece” is a disaster. It doesn’t matter. You enjoyed painting, and there’s always another chance to try again. And really, you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it. If you enjoy something, keep at it, whether you think you excel in it or not.

3. Often, Practice Will Cure Failure.

I’ve been creative writing for ages. When I accepted a journalism position in college, I sucked at writing articles. I failed to write articles that adhered to strict style and formatting rules. However, I practiced writing every week, and I soon became editor-in-chief. Practice cured my shortcomings. It can do the same for you with tasks you’ve not yet mastered.

4. Sometimes, You’re Better at More Things Than You Think.

You discover talents and skills by trying new things, and sometimes, you’ll surprise yourself with what you’re good at. It’s always a good idea to try new things, so you can learn what hidden talents you possess.  For instance, I thought the only subject in college I’d excel in would be English or communications. However, when I started taking legal studies classes as electives, I realized I thrived within this subject. Now, I’m minoring in legal studies!

A Word of Warning

While I do encourage trying new things, it’s always important to weigh risks. If you want to dive into a new major, I suggest using electives whenever possible to see if you can succeed in the desired subject before changing your degree path. If you want to pivot careers, I suggest volunteering in the industry beforehand to discover if you’ll excel. Trying new things—ideally—shouldn’t bankrupt you or ruin your life.

Final Thoughts

Don’t hold yourself back by anticipating and fearing failure. Trying new things is enjoyable, even when you fail, and you’ll likely regret not seizing the opportunity later on.

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