In tenth grade, my English teacher gave the class an interesting proposition: We had the choice to substitute the regular final exam with something different.
Something really different.
Specifically, we had to do something we’d never done before. Something challenging. Something scary. Something we could show and tell.
Why?
I remember vividly the way our teacher told us about all of the things in life we’d have to do something for the first time, and that we should get used to the fear or uncertainty that comes with trying something new.
I did an original oil painting of our family dog, a little poodle named Pierre.
It was literally one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. I have no talent when it comes to painting or drawing. Nor do I really have any interest. None. And, the experience didn’t improve either — I had no more talent or interest when I finished than when I started.
That wasn’t the point. The point was that I did something that I had never done before — something I had never thought about doing before. And, you know what? It wasn’t half bad. I got an A (I’m sure it was mostly an “A for Effort” sort of thing, but I took the grade anyway). It helped me make the honor roll that semester.
So, what’s my point here?
It’s so easy for any of us to get stuck in a rut. It’s so easy for us to…