Two of the six essential human needs identified by psychologists are Certainty and Variety.
At a glance, these may seem to be direct opposites. And they are.
Certainty gives a feeling of comfort and security. Many people need to know that there are things in their lives that will give them the guaranteed results they crave. They do not like surprises. As a result, even when something no longer serves them well, they’re afraid to let go because it means that they’ll have to face the unknown. They’ll probably have to leave their comfort zone and that would be painful for them.
Variety, on the other hand, presents challenges and excitement. You never know what’s around the corner. The persons who have a high need for variety enjoy surprises and diversity and dislike boredom.
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, what’s your need level for certainty or variety?
Do you have a need for certainty but feel sometimes that you need to shake things up a bit and add some variety?
"The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom."
The truth is that you can have so much certainty that you become bored with where you are in your life. When you feel bored, you are robbed of hopefulness and excitement.
If that’s the case, let’s look at five ways you can add variety to your life so that you fill your life with fun and exciting things to try.
Contents:
1. Make a Change
Since boredom often comes from a lack of activity or interest, why not focus on making a change or changes in your life? Start with a change of mindset, whether that means adopting a more optimistic outlook or becoming more adventurous.
2. Go with Your Gut
There’s a voice in your head saying, “Do it!” and another voice saying, “Wait. Let’s take a pause.” Sometimes it’s good to listen to the rational, logical side of your brain. Other times, you need to go with your gut feeling – especially when you’re trying to branch out and try new things.
3. Don’t Limit Yourself but Take Baby Steps
If you really want to stir things up, you will need to stop putting limitations on yourself. You’re capable of whatever you want to do if you’re willing to do the work to get the results.
At the same time, no one would expect you to go from dipping your toes in the water to swimming in the deep end.
You can’t always make giant leaps toward your goals or your dreams. Often, you need to start small. This will mean making small changes in your life and gradually feeling more comfortable with them, thus empowering yourself to make bigger changes.
4. Make a List
Just like a To-Do list, you can make a “Do” list. Create a list or a catalog of things you want to do for yourself – for fun! This list can include all new things, some old things, or all of the above. The point is to hold yourself accountable and to get out of your comfort zone. At times it’s valuable to enroll with the help of a friend who will support you when the changes you make seem overwhelming.
5. Make Plans Quickly
We often make plans too far in advance and lose the excitement over time. If you make your plans with more immediacy, you’ll hold yourself to them and you’ll be less likely to back out or procrastinate.
As you read through these tips, be aware that you’re not attempting to play mind games. Rather, you’re taking action to release any negative mindset in adding variety to your life.
In adding new things to your life, which will add more variety, start small. You’re more likely to stick to it and add more variety as you go.
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Are you interested in learning more about the six basic human needs and how they influence your behavior? Contact me to schedule a conversation during which we’ll identify your highest needs levels and discover if they’re in alignment with the outcomes you desire.
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