Stretching Your Brain (and Your Comfort Zone): The Power of Learning Something New
When’s the last time you did something completely new?
Recently, I found myself standing in an empty church sanctuary, surrounded by over 20 handbells, wearing fancy headphones, and trying not to mess up my part in a professional music recording.
Here’s the backstory: a friend of mine coordinates demo reels for new choral music. One piece needed handbells. They thought of me. I had never seen the music before walking in. It was just me, my friend, and a recording engineer. I’d listen to the choir through my headphones, ring my part, then switch bells and record again—layering tracks to sound like a full handbell choir. High stakes, a little nerve-wracking, and totally outside my usual day-to-day.
And also? Completely invigorating.
That experience reminded me just how good it is for our brains—and our well-being—to try something new. To stretch ourselves. To learn a skill we didn’t already have. To be a beginner.
As lawyers and legal professionals, we live in the realm of expertise. We’re trained to get it right, to be prepared, to know the answers. But sometimes the best thing we can do for our well-being, our emotional resilience, and even our professional growth is to do something we’re not already good at.
Trying something new:
- Activates different parts of your brain
- Builds your growth mindset muscle
- Boosts creativity and cognitive flexibility
- Strengthens emotional regulation and resilience
- Reminds you that perfection isn’t the point - progress is
Practical Strategies to Stretch Your Brain and Boost Well-Being
Here are a few ways you can tap into the power of learning and growth:
- Be a Beginner on Purpose
Sign up for a class, lesson, or workshop on something totally unrelated to your job—like watercolor painting, public speaking, or coding. Let yourself feel awkward and curious.
- Shake Up Your Routine
Take a different route to work, rearrange your workspace, or try a new podcast or book genre. Small changes wake up your brain and shift your perspective.
- Learn by Doing
Volunteer for a new kind of assignment at work or join a committee that handles something you’ve never tackled before. Learn as you go—it’s okay not to be the expert every time.
- Try “Low-Stakes Practice”
Explore a creative outlet where the stakes are low—like journaling, baking, gardening, or playing music. It builds confidence and creativity without pressure.
- Celebrate Effort, Not Perfection
Channel your inner growth mindset coach. Notice when you try something hard, not just when you succeed. Reflect on what you learned and how it felt to stretch.
You don’t need a handbell gig to get these benefits (though 10/10, highly recommend).
Whatever it is—let it stretch you. Let it wake you up a bit. Let it remind you that you’re capable of growing, even in the middle of a busy legal career.
Because that, my friends, is what well-being in law looks like!
Recommended Resources
[VIDEO] The Power of Believing That You Can Improve by Carol Dweck (TED Talk): Psychologist Carol Dweck introduces the concept of the "growth mindset," emphasizing how our beliefs about our abilities can influence our success.
[VIDEO] The Mindset of a Champion by Carson Byblow (TEDx Talk): In this inspiring talk, Carson Byblow shares his personal journey from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, highlighting the transformative power of embracing challenges.
[ARTICLE] Actually, The Best Way To Help You Grow Is By Stretching Yourself by Terri Kozlowski | Medium
[ARTICLE] Top 7 TED Talks to Develop Your Growth Mindset by Deena Anreise | Prialto
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