An old friend of mine runs a life coaching business in Scotland and posts daily words of wisdom - where he pulls his thoughts from who knows? The other morning, he started with the phrase “what you don’t know, you don’t know.” My mum is visiting just now, and she’s been joining me in this wee ritual of listening to these snippets. At first, we laughed a bit thinking it was a funny thing to say, but then really started thinking about it. No statement is truer.
I’ve decided to make it my own little mantra for 2025, but I’m adapting it slightly into “if we never try, we will never know.” I don’t know about you, but recent conversations seem devoid of typical new year’s resolutions. For whatever reason I haven’t heard many of the usual fired up intentions to join a gym, find a hobby or swear less. Instead, a handful of friends are going bigger, taking the bull by the horns and opting to switch careers or in the case of a loved one, start a new life altogether by moving countries.
The dawning of a new year so often instills us with a superpower mindset that on January 1 we can start to move mountains. Whatever inspires a notion to motivate then I say grab it with both hands.
You can look at the concept of what we don’t know, we can remain happily oblivious too, but what if you are missing out on something that could change your life in a good way? How often has an opportunity presented itself but fear or another excuse allowed it to pass by? What makes us pursue our curiosity and take a chance on something versus ignoring it?
That job posting you didn’t think you are skilled enough for, the date you were too anxious to accept, the workshop you were too nervous to try, the trip you were scared to take or worse, the situation you needed to leave but dreaded the repercussions. They fall into the futile would have, should have, could have category and now that ship has sailed - or has it?
If you spend any time online, you will no doubt be flooded with click bait or daily quotes, and if you are like me, you look at some and pass by others. The other day I saw one by Dr. Seuss and felt compelled to share. A part of it said “If you get the chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy they just promised it would be worth it.”
Unless you wind up bankrupt, put yourself or others in grave danger, or risk injury, I completely agree. Fear is the greatest of obstacles and it strikes each one of us differently. I can be standing on skis at the top of a powder covered tree-run with my son on his snowboard, his smile is bursting off his face and he can’t wait to drop in, and I am momentarily glued to the spot. But, put us next to each other on a beach by the North Sea and I’m running into the waves, while he is pumping his arms against his body deciding if he really wants to embrace the less than tropical temps. How we experience everything in life is so incredibly personal. As a result, we can listen to all the advice out there, but at the end of the day no one walks in another’s shoes to take their steps.
When we really have little to lose by giving something a try, then why not try? A mechanic friend just came up with a product idea and is throwing every spare minute at developing a prototype and getting it out there. He’d been stuck in a negative space for a while but decided to override fear with force. His energy right now is so electric, his positivity hits like a bolt just being around him.
Thankfully his infectious vibe bolstered me and I’m trying to pass it along. We all experience hard times, self-doubt and lack motivation when the humdrum of our status quo stagnates growth.
Not everyone has entrepreneurial notions or seeks radical change, but we all share intrigue at some level. What we don’t know, we don’t know – but what if we can say “I’m glad I now know about something that’s niggled my curiosity and I stepped out my comfort zone to find out.”
Why do we need the start of a new year to inspire new things or motivate? What if we can start every January as a celebration by looking back with pride of how we overcame obstacles, celebrated beginnings and continue as we mean to go on. What you don’t know, isn’t it time you find out?
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN STEPPING OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Are my routines serving me?
Is there a goal I wish to achieve?
What are my emotional and physical boundaries?
Am I hurting myself or others around me by exploring change?
Are there obstacles I need to overcome and if so, do I need to adapt my approach to tackling challenges?
Can I enter something new with a positive mindset?
Am I willing to live with regret if I don't take this chance?
Be aware that an open mind fosters new perspectives.
At the end of the day, the old saying is true. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Sometimes we need to lose ourself to find ourself.
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