When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Let yourself go, follow that feeling
Maybe something new is what you’re needing”
I was driving down the road one day, and the song “For the First Time” by Darius Rucker came on the radio. I’ve always liked that song, but this particular day, I actually gave the question some serious thought: When was the last time I did something for the first time? I really couldn’t think of anything—which made me start thinking…
When we’re children, our lives are packed with new experiences—there’s our first steps, our first day of school, our first kiss, our first time driving a car. I remember how thrilled my granddaughters were when they performed in their first ballet recital. But as we get older, it can be easy to fall into routines that leave little room for firsts. That’s what had happened to me, and when I realized it, I resolved to do something about it.
Finding new firsts
Some of my new endeavors are small; I started a new workout routine and also began working with an executive coach. I was invited to go on a short boat trip that I was feeling reluctant about, but I thought, When am I going to get invited to go on a boat again? I ended up going and had the best time—it was one of my most memorable days that summer.
Other firsts have been more significant. For the first time in my life, I recruited an impressive executive board and launched the brand-new Providence National Foundation. The board is filled with a diverse group of wonderful people, and I’m really so proud that so many amazing folks said ”yes” to help us address some of the most pressing health challenges facing our population today.
Building something brand-new for a company that’s almost 200 years old is pretty daunting, but it’s also so exciting. It’s the kind of feeling that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and accomplishing something that you’ve never done before. I want more of that feeling in my life, and I encourage you to strive for it as well.
Trying something new doesn’t have to be huge and life-changing (although added bonus if it is). There are plenty of small ways you can go about it. Perhaps you could make a new recipe, start learning a new language, take a class in a subject that has always interested you or even wake up 30 minutes earlier each day to meditate. You may find that those little things can actually make a big impact in your life.
So my challenge to you is this: Be open to invitations to try something new, maybe even with new people, and challenge yourself to take a chance on a new adventure. Because after all, the way we spend our days is the way we spend our lives—so let’s spend them filled with wonder, discovery, and plenty of firsts.
