The Upsides of Trying

By Lev Novak

Trying new things can be hard. Sometimes it can be scary, other times it just doesn’t seem worth it. You know you like hamburgers, after all; why would you ever try the fish?

Of course you know you’re supposed to try new things; that’s a cliche that you hear, like being yourself. But the idea of why trying new things is good for you gets overlooked so often that it’s worth addressing now.

1. It Builds Character

Like Calvin’s Dad in Calvin and Hobbes, doing things you may not like builds character. If you don’t like something; like skiing, then chances are you haven’t tried it. It’s just “not for you” even if it is, but once you try it, your assumptions are put it to the test. Either you do enjoy it- and thus expanding your horizon- or you really don’t enjoy it, and then guess what? You know that now and have a better answer than “it’s not for me.” You can say “I tried skiing once, and I got lost and dizzy from the lift and then I threw up, and then the puke froze, and it was Halloween, so they thought I was a monster and shot me with BB Gun pellets when I went into town for help.”

That’s a much better story than “I’ve never tried.” and that’s the pretty much the worst thing that could happen to you and it still sounds awesome. Trying things builds character in failure, and is awesome in success.

2. Level Up

In my apartment, one of the light fixtures burnt out.

It was in my room, and it was super annoying to fix. It was one of those giant cool-sphere lights and it only took a specific kind of lightbulb but I didn’t know what kind; all I knew was I needed to go to a lighting store. Also a screwdriver.

I didn’t want to fix this. I could’ve just gotten a lamp and waited until a talented friend was around to help (I am not made for repairs) and instead I tried myself.

It took my about a week. First day, I unscrewed it and the whole light fixture fell, including a bit of the ceiling. Then, I repaired it, got a previously missing screw and screwed it back. It took me three stores before I found the right lightbulbs, and another hour before I could screw it in, because the light fixture itself was pretty janky.

Overall it was totally the worst. But I did it; and now I know I could do that. I can do minor house repairs, even if it starts with the ceiling cracking above my bed, like “uh-oh.” And for a non-repairing-writing guy, that’s pretty cool. It felt like I leveled up.

3. Everyone Else is An Idiot

This is the biggest reason to try new things.

Want to do stand-up comedy? Too scared to submit your poem? Will you never make the basketball team?

Just try. Repeatedly. Because you’re not as bad as you think, and more importantly, they aren’t any different or more special than you.

If I went back in time, I’d beat Michael Jordan in basketball. I can promise you that. Why? Because I’d play against him when he was four. I’m sure he was good for a four year old, but I’m pretty sure being four feet taller than a toddler, even the most talented toddler of all time, is going to do it.

The point isn’t to play against children; it’s to remember that Michael Jordan becomes Michael Jordan in the gym. He goes to work. He wasn’t born in a halo of perfection- well, maybe a little- but not that much. Especially if you remember that you’re not competing with Michael Jordan, you’ll feel better. If you want to play Basketball, you’re competing first against kids at your school. Much easier than Jordan, and what’s so special about them? Practice, play hard, and beat them. You’re doing comedy not against Louis C.K. but against local open-mic people, and guess what; local open-mic people tend to be horrible. How much worse could you be?

You can do anything, not because you’re so great, but because the people who do those things aren’t so great either. We’re all people, right? So give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe you too can dunk over a five year-old Michael Jordan. Though we really need that time machine first.

Share this article: