A teacher once gave my class some great advice: complicate yourself.

It took me a few moments to grasp what he was saying. Messy relationships was the first thing that came to mind when I heard “complicated”. After all, who wants to be involve in a friendship or relationship gone south?

Fortunately, that isn’t quite what my teacher meant. He was telling us to force ourself out of our comfort zones, which would make us more “marketable” to prospective employers. 

Although my teacher’s advice focused on becoming a better candidate for a job, I think this is a good practice to apply to our everyday life. If you ever are satisfied with yourself the way you are, complicate yourself and learn a new skill. 

• Learn a new language
• Try poetry or other creative writing
• Learn to operate Windows instead of Apple (or vice versa)
• Volunteer to give a presentation or a speech

The list is endless.

They say it takes 30 days to make a practice into a habit. So here’s the challenge: what new lifestyle change, hobby, or skill will you try for 30 days? Life is a journey, so don’t treat it like a destination. Take a risk and try something new.

P.S. Check out this cool article about how to create habits.