If you’re looking to make some changes or if you’re feeling stuck, introducing some challenges can be a great way to kickstart change. Here’s some tips on how to embrace new challenges, and forge ahead!
Accept that a new challenge should be hard…but not insurmountable.
The purpose of actively choosing to stretch ourselves is the fact that we want to make some sort of growth. And this will mean becoming uncomfortable. So be prepared for this. But it shouldn’t be so much that it completely overwhelms you.
Choose your hard.
The key is to work out how uncomfortable you are prepared to get. The bigger the stretch, the more likely it is that your new challenge will involve more time and energy. So how much are you willing to invest, compared with what you want to achieve?
It doesn’t have to feel like it’s hard work.
Try choosing challenges around things that you enjoy first, before hitting the really big ones. We are more likely to stick with something if it involves what we enjoy.
Appreciate that growth is important if we want to stay physically and mentally alert as we get older.
If you’re used to thinking that someday in the future, everything in your life will be sorted and you’ll reach a plateau, then you might not see the point of putting yourself through new challenges. But our bodies and brains need to keep going and as we naturally start to decline, and our normal functioning will require maintenance.
The more challenges we expose ourselves to, the more we become used to dealing with change.
The process of taking on a challenge can help to strengthen our resilience and confidence, which means that when we are faced with those unexpected life events or situations, we have a much stronger foundation, and sense of self. We start to learn how best to support ourselves through challenges, and we become aware of what we need when we’re stressed. We see that if we’re not getting enough rest or balance for example, then things become out of sync.
So, if you are thinking about making some changes or want to shift, try undertaking some form of small challenges. Start small by looking at how you can improve on something you already do….this could be a fitness goal, or a daily activity. Or start adding in some tasks to your weekly routine…start a conversation with someone new, or visit an unfamiliar place.
By embracing new challenges, rather than fearing them, we can spark a more creative and curious mindset. And as you become more comfortable with change, the more you can expand your challenges.