At times we look for changes just because we have out grown our old habits or we are searching for inspiration to enhance our creative thinking. One-way to do this, I learned from Joseph O’Connor, he suggests, that we set goals to do something entirely new every three months. As he puts it in his book, co-written with Andrea Lages, Coaching the Brain: “to be creative is to be in the moment, dealing with what is there, rather than going by past habits. A habit no longer demands our attention – it runs by itself”. So when we set out to try something new every three months we make our brain think in a different way to solve or approach what ever new challenge we have given ourselves. O’Connor and Lages continue by explaining that “habit-driven actions and goal-directed actions compete in the brain”, to stop a habit and create new things we first have to inhibit the part of the brain that is responsible for the habit and then we can open up our thinking to the creative playground.
I must admit that the idea of trying something new every three months appeals to me, there are so many things we can try in this life so why just limit yourself to one comfort zone. I like playing so ever since I learned of Joseph O’Connor’s idea I have been wanting to water-ski. I have never tried it, I remember my sister having a go, in Greece, when she was around 12. I was 8 and not allowed. I can just remember how difficult she thought it was. After that, I heard from friends that it was so difficult you wouldn’t even get up the first time. So I was curious but also a bit apprehensive, if it was that difficult would it be any fun?
So today I had a go at it, it is my new thing for these three months, and boy was it fun.
I wonder how I could get to 48 and never have had a go at this before. It was hard, yes and you do need some strength. I could also transfer balance and leg work from horse riding. I followed the clear and very good instructions, sit like you are on the loo and resist the temptation of bending your arms and trying to pull yourself up.
In my head, I could hear my mothers instructions for cutting the bread “ let the knife do the work” she would say. It is funny how our brain does look for the familiar to associate to the new task, so I concluded that I had to let the boat do the work.
It was getting ready that was a bit awkward getting the skis on and getting into the right position, then as I finally got into the right position the boat began to pull.
And it was hard, the water was splashing in my face getting in my nose and I could hardly see. However, I did get up and once I was up…… wow what a feeling it was like dancing on the water, while concentrating on balance, strengths and keeping myself from doing something wild with the adrenalin pumping. It was thrilling, fun and absolutely fantastic. I have a smile on my face as I write this, I also fell and that was part of the fun. Best fall was when I went head first over my skis as if I was trying to dive in, I had such a laugh my stomach muscles are still sore and other parts of my body but never mind all I can think of is when I can have another go.
As O’Conner and Lages put it “Goals must be rewarding, otherwise why bother? One reward is from achieving the goal – getting to the destination. The other reward is in the journey”. So yes it was very rewarding to stand up, even if was just for a short while, and at the same time, the struggle, the falling and awkwardness of getting ready was part of it, and the victory would not have been the same without the struggle.
I wonder what the next new thing will be. Something entirely new and different from other things I do….. Go carting maybe?
What new things would you like to try?
I hope you are as happy as you want to be and remember it is free to be kind.
Best wishes
Ivalo
Photos: Naia Cancela Okking