Facing the Unknown

"The fear of the unknown is not a good enough reason" - Amy Lokey, VP of User Experience @ Google

I had the chance to get to talk to Google’s VP of User Experience and the thing that really resonated with me was when she said “that the unknown is not a good enough reason” and I cannot agree with her more! It’s easy to get comfortable and not want to change things when they’re going well. Though, what if there is something better? Something that can challenge our boundaries and perhaps help us live a happier life? All too often, we’re too scared to break out of our comfortable shell. For many of us, it’s not worth the risk.

I've always been one to play it safe and throughout college, I've learned to challenge myself and try new things whether it was going to events alone and forcing myself to meet new people or taking a chance at a startup I never heard of. Some of my best experiences have come from these unplanned moments and "unknown" opportunities. Next time you're hesitant about trying something new, think about these things before you shut down the idea and say no. 

Explore Your Curiosity
If you're anything like me, even if you're scared of trying something new, you're curious about the whole situation and wonder "what if...". Instead of wondering, take action and just do it! The worst that can happen is you realize it's not for you, but at least you won't live with any regrets. 

Everything is a Learning Experience
Take each moment as a chance to learn. That's honestly one of the most exciting things about doing something out of the ordinary. You never know what can happen. Whether it's a positive or negative experience, take the time to reflect and learn from the situation. This can come in the form of learning a new skill, what not to do, or something about yourself. 

Discover Yourself
With every new experience, you get a better understanding of who you are -- your preferences, what works well for you and what doesn't. That's the whole part of growing up: self-discovery. Take the time to try something that scares you and you'll come out the other side braver, stronger, and potentially having gone through a life changing experience. 

I challenge all of you to step out of your comfort zone and say YES next time you're hesitant about trying something new.; take that leap of faith. I'd also love to hear about any stories you all have about venturing into the unknown; leave them in the comments or shoot me a message! 

xo Kerstin