I don’t know about you, but I can be a creature of habit.

If I’m not careful, I can become very content in the rhythms and routines that I have created for myself.

And some of that, admittedly, is good.

But during a recent conversation with a colleague, I was surprised to hear him suggest that one of the greatest sources of joy — free and available to everyone — is found in learning and doing new things.

Growing.

Changing.

Moving away from the status quo.

And as I sat with that possibility for a few moments, its truth was confirmed deep within me.

As much as I might be a creature of habit and routine, I am also a creature of adventure, exploration, and pushing beyond what I think I can do.

That’s what led me to move over 1700 miles away from my childhood home for my first job after college.

That’s what led me to train for, and race in, my first marathon.

That’s what led me to pursue a doctoral degree.

And that’s what led me to start this blog and write my first book

Yet if I’m honest with you — which I always try to be ; ) — I’m sure I didn’t approach any of those things with an overwhelming sense of confidence that I would be successful in my endeavor(s).

They were all new to me.

And “success” in anyone of those scenarios could have had a multitude of definitions.

Doing new things, and being a novice or rookie or beginner at that thing, puts us in position to grow — regardless of the end result.

We explore and learn.

We experience and are educated.

We even fail or fall, and reconsider our approach — but we don’t give up.

All of this leads to growth and change — which quite often produces high levels of  joy within.

So my question for you is simple: Where is YOUR current growing edge?