When we were children, it seemed like every day brought a new opportunity to be brave — whether we wanted to be or not. Maybe it was sitting at the lunch table with new classmates or trying out for a sport or school play. Whatever the situation, we were expected to muster the courage to try.
As adults, we may shy away from circumstances that require us to step outside our comfort zone and try something different. After all, one of the goals of adulthood is to build the life we want for ourselves, which, for some of us, means avoiding the uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Trying new things requires us to be vulnerable and attempt something even if we don’t know exactly what we’re doing — and even if we risk failure by trying. That can be a scary feeling at any age.
These inspiring quotes can give you the motivation you’ve been looking for to take the leap and try something new. Because as the old adage goes, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Interests are not discovered through introspection. Instead, interests are triggered by interactions with the outside world.Angela Duckworth, psychologist
Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect… Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.Neil Gaiman, author
Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?Michelle Obama
Why do the easy, expected thing? It takes guts to follow your dreams. Courage. Half the fun is venturing into the unknown, taking on the difficult task that yields new knowledge.Marshall Ulrich, marathon runner
Everything I’ve ever done that’s valuable is something I was terrified to try.Amy Chua, author
I’ve always wanted to try new things because it’s exciting and it keeps you active and alive.Robert Redford
We keep moving forward, opening up new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.Walt Disney
Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.Ralph Waldo Emerson
The hallmark of successful people is that they are always stretching themselves to learn new things.Carol Dweck, psychologist
You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.Tina Fey
You never know what you can do until you try, and very few try unless they have to.C.S. Lewis
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.Dale Carnegie, writer and motivational speaker
You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. It always does feel strange to be knocked out of your comfort zone.Jojo Moyes, journalist and author
Photo credit: Teacher Photo/ Shutterstock
