It seems that springtime brings a sudden desire for people to experiment with new hobbies or explore new areas of the country or embark on new endeavors.  This revitalization to try something new could be due to the new growth on the trees and the flowers that are pushing through the soil to bloom once again.  We are inspired to put forth the energy, just like nature, to create something new and exciting.

To be successful in these endeavors, it is very important to utilize the resources around you.  For example, if you are looking to go back to school be sure you contact your local universities for information on their programs as well as talk to others who have recently embarked on that mission themselves.  If you are looking into a new hobby, while the internet is full of resources, be aware that it can be overwhelming and may cause you to abandon that desire.  If you Google "hobbies", 214,000 sites come up.  WOW!!!! Consider some smaller options as well that won't cause that overwhelming feeling, like the local book store or library.

Resources can be anything from the internet, to books, to coworkers, to family or friends, or even your own mind.  Maybe you want to try something new but you're not sure exactly what that new hobby should be.  Take some quiet time to list the pros and cons of yourself.  List things you feel you are proficient at or  like to do.  List some things you definitely do not like to do as well.  From those lists brainstorm some hobbies or professions or areas of interest that would incorporate some of those pros and do not require you to do things you do not like.  I have even gone through the phone book yellow pages and/or my community newspapers to spark some ideas of something I wanted to do.  Being open to exploring a vast number of answers or ideas can be exhilarating.

Once you have found that new place to visit or new hobby or new skill you want to learn, be sure to have patience with yourself along the way. You will most likely not be proficient at the Expert level of that guitar game on your first attempt. You will probably not shoot a 72 on your first 18-hole round of golf.  You won't know all the short cuts the first time you travel through a new town.  Allow yourself to see improvement and appreciate the journey you are on as you become more proficient at that hobby or skill. 

Setting goals along the way and achieving them can help you gain confidence in what you are doing.  Enjoy the process and those that accompany you on this path to doing something new.  All in all, know that any time of year-any age-any life-transition period can be a great time to try something new. 

It helps to look at it From the Positive Perspective.....