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Abstract

/2006/08/060826180547.htm">Scientists have found that the overall effect of novelty on the brain is a net positive.</a> Novelty motivates the human brain to explore its environment more and even enhances our ability to learn.Spontaneity has also been found to improve creativity and emotional intelligence, as new experiences force us to problem solve or interact with new people we wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to meet day-to-day. It also enhances our flexibility and adaptability. When we are doing scheduled tasks, our minds stay focused if we know there are unknowns to factor in later. Those who regularly make time for novel experiences have also been found to be <a href="https://lifedev.net/2008/01/29/the-power-of-spontaneity-and-how-to-wield-it/">more relaxed and adaptable</a>, as we learn that no matter what happens next we can tackle it. This reduces stress and uncertainty about the future.So if, like me, you sometimes find it hard to make space for novelty in your life, here are three things you can ask yourself before trying something new or accepting an out-of-the-blue invitation:<h1 id="ce6f">1. What’s the worst that can happen?</h1>If you’re on the fence about committing to something spontaneous, the chances are that what’s putting you off is the unknown.Going to an event with people you’ve never met, accepting an invitation from an acquaintance or saying yes to coffee with a stranger last minute are all scary situations with an element of the unknown in them. Most of the time what holds us back from simply doing these things is fear.To put our doubts into perspective we can ask ourselves: “What’s the worst that can happen?”You could come across as weird. You might not be able to make conversation with that stranger and there might be a few awkward minutes of silence. So what? If these things are the worst that can happen then you should absolutely embrace an unknown opportunity, because the potential benefits greatly outweigh the worst thing that could happen.I’d go a step further and say that unless there is a chance you could seriously injure yourself or others, or lose out on a fair bit of money then 90% of the time you should say y

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es to an unexpected opportunity.Start thinking of the worst that can happen- and quite often you’ll see that there really isn’t much you stand to lose.<h1 id="be5a">2. What can wait?</h1>You’re busy, I get it. I’m busy too.I already noted my tendency to structure my life around a never-ending to-do list. I, like so many others, live in an endless cycle of ticking things off the list all day and then starting again tomorrow.The truth is, I rarely finish my list. There is seldom a day that I get to the end of everything I want to achieve, and that is completely okay.Review your priorities and almost every time you’ll find that one of those things you just have to do can wait. It can wait a few hours or till tomorrow or even a few days. It’s not life or death.Do you know what can’t wait?The guy who just invited you to coffee is only in town for one more day. Your coworkers inviting you to spontaneous after-work drinks will have a crazy story to tell on Monday that you missed because of something that could have waited. You might never get the chance to see that artist in that venue again if you pass up those last-minute tickets.Life is precious and there are a lot of opportunities that come up only once. I promise you that most of the time, whatever seems safe or absolutely necessary to get to on the to-do list really can wait just a little longer.<h1 id="1951">3. What’s my gut feeling?</h1>If you’re still on the fence after the first two questions, go with your gut.Your gut feeling and your instincts are your most powerful tool for deciding whether to take that chance or seize that opportunity. If you can’t stop thinking about it, if you keep coming back to it, if there’s always a ‘what-if?’ in the back of your mind, chances are you’re dwelling on these thoughts for a reason.If your sub-consciousness is screaming at you to do something, to try something, to just go, then you can take that as all the proof that you need. Be spontaneous and listen to something other than your rational brain. It will be infinitely more valuable to you in the long run.</article></body>

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Taking a Chance

Read this if you have trouble being spontaneous

If you’re like me, you probably like to keep yourself fairly busy.

I have a full-time job. I have errands. I just moved to a new city and I’m trying to find a permanent place and make new friends. I’m trying to keep in touch with family and see old friends. I have hobbies that are important to me- I want to keep to an exercise regime, I want to learn Italian and most importantly, I want to write.

I’m one of those people who write a to-do list every night before bed. Each night I write a list of the tasks I want to get done, and the (rough) order I plan to do them in.

It’s no surprise then, that when something comes up out of the blue, I sometimes have a hard time saying yes or fitting it into everything I have planned and everything I want to accomplish that day.

I want to put a stop to this.

We live in a culture that idealises work and productivity and meeting goals - whether they are set by yourself or by those above you. I fall victim to this type of constrained thinking all the time.

We fill our days with work and tasks and errands and obligations, and then on the weekend maybe try to squeeze in an hour or two of planned fun or drink our obligations and sense of duty away to numb out the feeling that we always have to be doing something. We worship that one or two weeks holiday to a foreign, beautiful, sunny place we get once a year and then let the rest of our lives become grey in comparison.

We deserve to search for novelty and spontaneity in our everyday lives. Life is short and opportunities are fleeting. Scientists have found that the overall effect of novelty on the brain is a net positive. Novelty motivates the human brain to explore its environment more and even enhances our ability to learn.

Spontaneity has also been found to improve creativity and emotional intelligence, as new experiences force us to problem solve or interact with new people we wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to meet day-to-day. It also enhances our flexibility and adaptability. When we are doing scheduled tasks, our minds stay focused if we know there are unknowns to factor in later. Those who regularly make time for novel experiences have also been found to be more relaxed and adaptable, as we learn that no matter what happens next we can tackle it. This reduces stress and uncertainty about the future.

So if, like me, you sometimes find it hard to make space for novelty in your life, here are three things you can ask yourself before trying something new or accepting an out-of-the-blue invitation:

1. What’s the worst that can happen?

If you’re on the fence about committing to something spontaneous, the chances are that what’s putting you off is the unknown.

Going to an event with people you’ve never met, accepting an invitation from an acquaintance or saying yes to coffee with a stranger last minute are all scary situations with an element of the unknown in them. Most of the time what holds us back from simply doing these things is fear.

To put our doubts into perspective we can ask ourselves: “What’s the worst that can happen?”

You could come across as weird. You might not be able to make conversation with that stranger and there might be a few awkward minutes of silence. So what? If these things are the worst that can happen then you should absolutely embrace an unknown opportunity, because the potential benefits greatly outweigh the worst thing that could happen.

I’d go a step further and say that unless there is a chance you could seriously injure yourself or others, or lose out on a fair bit of money then 90% of the time you should say yes to an unexpected opportunity.

Start thinking of the worst that can happen- and quite often you’ll see that there really isn’t much you stand to lose.

2. What can wait?

You’re busy, I get it. I’m busy too.

I already noted my tendency to structure my life around a never-ending to-do list. I, like so many others, live in an endless cycle of ticking things off the list all day and then starting again tomorrow.

The truth is, I rarely finish my list. There is seldom a day that I get to the end of everything I want to achieve, and that is completely okay.

Review your priorities and almost every time you’ll find that one of those things you just have to do can wait. It can wait a few hours or till tomorrow or even a few days. It’s not life or death.

Do you know what can’t wait?

The guy who just invited you to coffee is only in town for one more day. Your coworkers inviting you to spontaneous after-work drinks will have a crazy story to tell on Monday that you missed because of something that could have waited. You might never get the chance to see that artist in that venue again if you pass up those last-minute tickets.

Life is precious and there are a lot of opportunities that come up only once. I promise you that most of the time, whatever seems safe or absolutely necessary to get to on the to-do list really can wait just a little longer.

3. What’s my gut feeling?

If you’re still on the fence after the first two questions, go with your gut.

Your gut feeling and your instincts are your most powerful tool for deciding whether to take that chance or seize that opportunity. If you can’t stop thinking about it, if you keep coming back to it, if there’s always a ‘what-if?’ in the back of your mind, chances are you’re dwelling on these thoughts for a reason.

If your sub-consciousness is screaming at you to do something, to try something, to just go, then you can take that as all the proof that you need. Be spontaneous and listen to something other than your rational brain. It will be infinitely more valuable to you in the long run.