Try Something New

The Lesson

This past month I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone to try a few new things. The experiences and change of perspective have been refreshing and enlightening. It’s amazing what you see when you view things from a different angle.

If you’ve followed “the challenge” for any length of time you’re probably aware that I’m an avid runner and that last year I completed my big goal of running a marathon. This year my goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon and given the difficulty of that challenge, I’m trying to be smarter about my training regimen, including what fuel I put in the tank.

You might think that eating a balanced diet is a part of any runner’s routine. But it isn’t. And it certainly hadn’t been part of mine.  My plan was to eat whatever I wanted and make up for it by logging extra miles to burn the calories. But that changed a few weeks ago when I decided to try something new: Counting calories and being more selective about my food choices. For the most part, I’ve been blessed with great metabolism and counting calories is something that I’ve never worried much about. Don’t get me wrong, I ate healthy, just not strategically.

The shift from not counting to counting has been a real eye-opener, and it’s led to smarter choices about what I put in the shopping cart.  As a result, I’ve shed a few hard-to-lose pounds, set a good example for my children, and feel better when it comes time to check out at the store.

The Challenge

It can be easy to stick to our routine, but routines can lead to ruts and people get stuck in ruts. This week I challenge you to break your routine, get out of your rut, and try something new.

In his Psychology Today post, Trying New Things, Dr. Alex Lickerman points out the following four benefits of trying something new:

1.    Trying something new requires courage.
2.    Trying something new opens up the possibility for you to enjoy something new.
3.    Trying something new keeps you from becoming bored.
4.    Trying something new forces you to grow.

For inspiration, take a peek at a previous collector mentor Challenge Flexing Your Risk Muscle.

The Reflection

What do you find most difficult when it comes to trying new things?

You can share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Gary Jensen
Editor | collector mentor

To download companion worksheets to use with The collector mentor Challenge™, please visit www.collectormentor.com/thechallenge.

About collector mentor
Published bimonthly, collector mentor is a quick-read publication dedicated entirely to delivering articles and practical advice that teaches credit and collection professionals how to increase collection results, enhance productivity, improve teamwork, and become better stewards of the industry.