Have you ever felt like you wanted to try something new but you were afraid? Attempting new activities is easy for some people, but for others it is terrifying. You might be wondering, what is the big deal? It is just a few hours doing something new. But, for certain people, you might as well be offering to pull their teeth. Anxiety is a real burden for many people. And you have to find ways to cope. Here are a few tips to help those people tackle a new activity.

Tips For Attempting New Activities

Ask Why Is This Important?

It might seem like trying a new activity is low on the totem pole of critical life events. And it definitely is not as important as some other life-altering occasions. But making the effort to try something new is more important than you might think. It sets the precedent for how you want to lead your life. Do you want to stay in your home binging Netflix or do you want to take a chance and possibly make your next great memory? It also marks a major victory over anxiety. Anxiety is like an evil monster that wants you to lock yourself inside and never venture out the front door. Making the step to confront anxiety and go outside your comfort zone is a significant step. And if you can do it for a new activity, you can do it in other areas of your life. Overcoming a feeling of uncomfortableness and trying something new is a courageous undertaking that bodes well for your future endeavors. No one can deny that trying a new activity has many benefits.

What Are Your Goals?

It is necessary to determine what you are hoping to get out of a new activity before you start it. Do you want to meet new people? Increase your skill in a certain area? Just get out of the house? Whatever your objective, making a goal is very motivating. Not only does it make you think about the fact that you created a goal in the first place, but it also causes you to focus on what you hope to accomplish. If you don’t go through with the activity, you are left with the regret of not achieving your objectives. And “what if?” is something you would probably rather not have to think about.

Be Prepared

“Be prepared” is not just a good motto for the Boy Scouts. The enemy of anxiety is preparation. The more prepared you are, the less anxious you will feel. It is always the unknown that we fear most. So, it is a good idea to educate yourself about the activities you want to pursue. In that vein, tackle new activities like you would a test. For example, if you are going to do axe throwing for the first time, it might help to look at the website for the place you are going and find out what you are up against. Also, look up tips for axe throwing and maybe get a practice round in beforehand. In general, avoid activities that are way outside your comfort zone. If the thought of the activity makes you too anxious, there is no way you will go through with it during crunch time. The more familiar you are with the environment and the activity itself, the more likely you won’t chicken out.

Schedule New Activities

Scheduling activities increases the chances you will go through with them. If it is written down somewhere, you can’t forget it. You will see it every time you look at it. There is something about seeing an activity in your calendar that makes you want to complete it. I mean, isn’t it irritating not to be able to cross something off your list? Scheduling a new activity may not ensure you complete it but it will make sure it stays on your mind.

Tell Another Person You are Attempting a New Activity

This is a tried and true motivation technique. It is much harder to back out of an activity if you tell someone you are going to do it. They will most likely ask you about it later and you don’t want to have to tell them you didn’t go. Want to take this even further? Invite another person to the activity. This serves two purposes. First, you will feel a lot more comfortable if you try a new activity with a friend. Second, you will feel obligated to show up so as to not let that person down.

What is the Worst That Can Happen?

What a great question. Anxiety is not always a rational emotion. Sure, jumping out of a plane deserves some worry, but trying a low-risk new activity does not. But, for some people, even easy activities bring on catastrophic concerns. That is why it is always a good idea to ask, What is the worst that can happen?” First of all, the worst that can happen is usually not all that bad. And when you think of the bad that can happen, you have a chance to prepare yourself for the possibilities. It is only when you think about jumping out of an airplane that asking this question might backfire.

You Can Do it!

No one said trying something new was easy. But millions of people do it every day. And it is great for you in so many ways. So, If all else fails, try some positive self-talk. Nothing is as motivating as a good ol’ psyche-up job. That is especially true if you can find a friend to help push you. Try some affirmations, such as “I can do this”, “It is worth it”, or even “What do I have to lose?”. It is almost guaranteed that you will be happy you did it. Anxiety is all about anticipation. Once you are in the middle of a new activity, your worries will wash away. Besides, who wants to look back on their life and have regrets?