You should take risks. Start in the kitchen. I’m not talking about undercooking chicken or taking up knife juggling. Most people settle into a list of four or five recipes that become their staple meals. Try new things instead!
People settle into routines because routines make everything easier. It’s why the most productive people have a morning routine that feeds their productivity.
However, you should avoid letting your routine become a rut. A rut stifles creativity. As an example: let’s say you have a writing routine. You start the morning at 6, prepare for work, read for a half-hour, write for a half-hour, then move on to the needs of the day.
This is a good routine.
How does a rut look in comparison? It might have all the same elements and time dedicated to them, but what if every morning you read the same chapter of the same book and rewrote the same article. Time is being spent but you’re not growing.
The kitchen is a good staging ground for a dynamic routine. The time commitment is low. It doesn’t take weeks of dedication to find and make a new recipe! Find a recipe for something you want to make. Then give it a shot.
What’s the worst-case scenario? You mess it up. Something burns. It’s inedible. That’s okay! You can make ramen instead. But now you’ve grown! You tried something new! You can let your setback stop you from trying again or you can try again. The choice is yours.
Mix things up. Try something new. Enjoy the reward of a delicious meal.
Then take that lesson to your work. Don’t follow the routine just because it’s the routine. Think about how you can improve the routine then try it out. Generate more value.
You can apply this to relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Try new things together. Create new experiences. Don’t coast. When these relationships form ruts, it’s harmful to all involved.
“The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.” There are few who can jump headfirst into large risks with any confidence. Start with a small risk, reap a small reward. Let that give you the confidence to move on to bigger risks.
Trust me. It’ll make life interesting.