There are many instances when a routine is necessary — think morning
workouts, and nightly skincare regimens. But if you’ve ever found
yourself questioning whether you need a little more inspiration, you
aren’t alone. That feeling is perfectly natural. The fact of the matter
is sometimes we slip into patterns that fail to challenge or excite us
on a daily basis. This can cause restlessness, or even complacency with
our day-to-day lives.
Still, it can be hard to break free from
that comfortable, sometimes monotonous schedule. That’s why we’re
challenging you to explore your options. And the best time to start this
self-exploration is now. As you grow, your ambitions and
aspirations may change — you may be waiting to settle down or have
already started your family. That’s why it’s important to remain curious
because it just may be the perfect time to take on new challenges and
discover your true passions. Take charge of your decisions and spend
some time reflecting on your strengths and priorities this year — this
will all help you prepare for the future.
We’ve teamed up with Merck on Her Life. Her Adventures.,
an educational campaign aimed to encourage women to know their options
and set priorities, including talking with their doctor about family
planning and birth control, to help them feel better prepared for
whatever lies ahead. With this campaign as inspiration, we dreamed up
eight options that may ignite a year of exploration.
1. Move To A New City
Offset: Cavan ImagesUp
and leaving may not be an option for everyone, but it’s possible to
grow professionally and personally by taking advantage of opportunities
within your company that may lie in another state. If you have dreams of
spending time in another state or a foreign country, ask your manager
about relocation options. Requesting a location transfer allows you to
experience a new city or town while continuing to build your career with
an organization you (hopefully) enjoy and respect. It also gives you
the chance to broaden your professional network in a new market and
collaborate with different colleagues. If your employer doesn’t have
other offices, ask about remote working opportunities within the
company. Perhaps there’s a chance you can explore new places and
activities without missing a beat!
2. Learn A New Skill
Offset/Westend61Believing
you can improve yourself and do things that are beyond your current
capabilities can be both exciting and rewarding. Whether it’s learning
computer programming skills, dabbling in a second language, taking
violin lessons, or training to run a marathon, developing a new skill
can be invaluable to your career and your personal life. Understand that
your time is valuable and dedicate yourself to honing skills that will
result in the greatest benefit.
3. Travel For A Worthy Cause
Offset: Tim Hall / Image SourceIf
you can take off an extended period of time away from work, try living
on an organic farm for several weeks. To promote cultural and
educational experience, there are worldwide programs that link
volunteers who are passionate about healthy food and living with farmers
and growers. You could offer your help in exchange for food, housing,
and — maybe best of all — the opportunity to learn about a different way
of life.
4.Start A New Hobby
Tetra ImagesDiving
into a new hobby may allow you to explore multiple interests, and even
has the potential to lead to a full-time career down the road. Your
hobby could be anything: designing greeting cards, developing an
app, or teaching yoga on the weekends. Find something that inspires you,
and remember to be patient with yourself. Who knows? You might just
surprise yourself and make a little extra money along the way!
5. Meet New People
Peathegee Inc / BlendMake
it a point to regularly seek out new individuals who inspire and
motivate you. Seek out people who work for companies you’re interested
in, or who are involved in fields that you want to pursue. On a more
personal level, find individuals of different backgrounds or interests —
don’t just stick to the friends you met in college. Be brave and show
up alone to a meetup or club sports league. By expanding your social
circle, you’ll not only open yourself up to opportunities, but you’re
sure to ignite many meaningful conversations, as well.
6.Pursue An Unfamiliar Industry
Offset / Hill Street Studios / BlendAcademic
institutions don’t call it “continuing education” for nothing. Whether
you are looking to upgrade skills in your current field or for training
in an entirely new area, enrolling in a professional certificate program
can help you take that next step on your career track and help you earn
a credential that makes you stand out in a competitive workplace. Most
schools offer evening and weekend classes for working adults. At the
very least, taking classes can simply satisfy your love of knowledge, or
open doors you never knew existed.
7. Read Outside Of Your Comfort Zone
In
your year of exploration, start a reading project and devote time to
curling up with books that will teach you things you actually want to
learn, as well as novels that will challenge you and give you the
perspectives of different types of characters. Meanwhile, you’ll improve
your knowledge, expand your vocabulary, and enlarge your view and
understanding of the world. You might even view your project as a
journey of self-discovery or a way to focus.
8. Explore Your Options
Heather LazarkSo,
let's be real: there are many things you can do to ignite a year of
exploration as long as you plan ahead for your upcoming adventure(s).
Whatever you choose to do, in whatever industry, country, or social
setting you choose to explore, having a reliable plan in place can help
you explore each and every option. For some, this may include talking to
your doctor about your family planning and birth control options,
including reversible, daily, non-daily and longer-term ones. Whether
you're embarking on a solo journey, or have a partner and/or a family to
consider in this madness we call life, map out a game plan as you work
toward your ambitious goals.
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