“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

My brain seems to get bored easily. I imagine many of us are like this. The way that I keep my enthusiasm, energy, and productivity alive is, fortunately for me, a byproduct of my chosen professionals. I am a freelancer. A writer, musician, actor, and general odd-job man for my wife’s business. This means that my brain is forever engaging with ‘the new’. New skills, places, people, routines, projects and challenges. That said, I still get stuck in ruts. I become frustrated and demotivated if I do not have something new to engage with. I grind to a mental halt if I am not discovering something new.

Our brains thrive on novelty. When we engage in fresh experiences, we activate curiosity, boost creativity, and ultimately improve focus. Discovery of the new may be the key to your exit from a stagnant place. It could be a new hobby. Perhaps you might want to try a class or a group (I work with an improvisation troupe, for example. They are all professionals dabbling in a courageous skill. They discover something new every single time they meet!). It might even be as simple as diving into a well-written book. Whatever form it takes, discovery is positive. These are some of the reasons why and ideas about where you might find discovery in your everyday.

 

1. Novelty = Focus

As touched upon above, our brains like discovering things. They are wired to crave new experiences and lessons. When we try something unfamiliar we wake up dormant parts of the brain and produce dopamine. This response keeps your brain awake. Alive to the world. In a state of engagement and observation.

2. Small Changes, Big Change

The discoveries need only be small for this mental alertness to awaken. A new workspace, perhaps, with a different view? An alternative commute. Maybe changing the way in which you start your day or switching up your morning routine can refresh your mind. Only little shifts, true, but the resulting engagement will keep your brain more alert and ready to create.

3. Switching Off in Nature

Spending time outside is one of the most effective ways to stimulate fresh thinking. However, there is a caveat. Try to coincide such occasions with a switch-off from your technology. Letting the mind wander when taking in the outdoors helps to bring mental clarity. Whether walking through a town, city, field, or forest, the discovery of details in the world around you encourages your brain to access different areas and ways of thinking. My brain often solves problems I thought were complex with relative ease after a while spent in the open.

4. Learning for Focus as Opposed to Knowledge

Of course, learning in itself is the process of obtaining knowledge. However, using learning as a focus exercise is a good way to pull the mind away from spiralling thoughts and aim it more specifically.

Try picking up a book about something outside your industry. Try going to a workshop, or attempting a creative skill like painting or learning an instrument. The brain practices adaptability, and therefore, gets better at it. It’s also great for improving attention span and information retention.

5. A Good Habit

The key to maintaining focus through novelty is to make discovering the new a habit. Set a goal to try one new thing each week (or month, if a week seems like too much. That new thing could be a new podcast, a different coffee order, or an unfamiliar workout. By intentionally seeking out small changes, you train your brain to stay curious and engaged, ultimately leading to better focus in all areas of life. So, step outside your routine, try something new, and watch your focus flourish.

By Chris Thomson

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