Patch Adam

Summary – Variety or Repeated?

In an interview, if you were asked “What’s your experience?”. How would you answer? “I have 10 years of variety of experience”? or “I have 10 years of repeated experience”?

10 years of repeated experience is most probably the answer for majority of us. We worked for 10 years but all the while we are doing the same thing. This can be equally aplied not only to working but also to hobbies or interest.

It’s true that repeating the same work may give us that “skilled” factor. We will become specialist in what we do. We will then be so good in what we do, that it is no longer a challenge to the mind.

Our mind is like a child, always asking question and always wants a challenge. I even heard that one of the suspected reason Alzheimer cases in old people is when we are not challenging our mind consistently.

What I’m trying to say here is just to introduce something new to our life. It can be weekly or monthly but please try something new. For example,

1) Try cooking
There’s a saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomache. And guess what? the same goes to woman πŸ™‚ Who hates good food?

2) Look for new things to do when travelling
Most people just travel to see the beautiful scenery. Why not you make it compulsary for you to do one unique thing when you travel. For example, you travel to Place A, maybe you do rock climbing there, then you travel to Place B, you learn how to fish squid (Mencandat)

3) Learn to play an instrument (3 songs)
I actually did this. I learn to play exactly 3 songs on guitar. When you are in presence of strangers, and you were asked to play the guitar, you can immediately play that 3 songs and people will see you now as the man who play guitar πŸ™‚ But you will have to stop when the 3 songs are over

4) Check what’s the new buzz
Everyday there are new things being introduced. In the internet, there are thousands new things everyday. Check what everyone is highlighting. For example, twitter. I read all over the net about how twitter is the next blog, so I tried it out. I may not be as active in it but at least now I know what it’s all about. For those who’sΒ on twitter, please follow me here.

Let’s get to know each other. I will only be able to tweet after work, so please excuse me sometimes when I’m not there πŸ™‚

5) Make strange new friend.
Everyone can make friends. Why don’t you challenge youself to make friends with people who have nothing in common with you. Try to befriend lawyers, or engineers, or beggars, Just imagine the experience they can share with you.

6) Try other jobs
Why not one day you just go for an interview at the local mall for a promoter job. When you are accepted to work, just take a day off from your current job and go to work at the place. You’ll be working there for one whole day. And since you are not going to be paid (since you just work for one day), it is important that you take all the experience you can get from that one day job. Mingle around. Believe me, you will have a more profound respect for the people working as a promoter later on.

7) Do social experiment
I watched “Patch Adam” once played by Robin William. In that movie, Adam is doing an experiment to check how to connect to people on a deeper level. He hang himself upside down from a tree and surprised a pedestrian saying “Hello”. He consider the experiment a success if the pedestrian look back and smile. Of course it’s a success.

My point exactly, try to come up with experiment of your own. Learn more about life. It is actually fun. πŸ™‚ An example of experiment you can do is maybe to ask for help from strangers. See how many will help a stranger.

/end list
I can go on and on about the list of things. But I try to keep the post as short and simple as possible. So there they are. Care to try?

– I wonder –
Do you have any other methods to make your day different?

———- Personal Note ———–
I know some people dislike him, but I really love watching movie played by Robin William. There are almost all thought provoking and creatively done. My favorite would be the Bicentennial Man, where a unique robot try to find a way to be more human πŸ™‚

What’s your favorite movie?

Don't want to miss a single tip? Get updates via RSS (Full) or Email

Appreciated action :

This post has 9 comments.


Pictures & Avatar next to all comments are courtesy of Gravatar
  1. filantera`
    07 Apr 08 8:50 am

    really gud post, and i am addicted to Patch Adams too:D

    have idea but dunno how to write it since it is monday morning after all:D

  2. 07 Apr 08 5:27 pm

    memang best sometimes we try something new.

    its been a while i nak blaja main instrument esp guitar. maybe someday.

    and i pernah jadi promoter before, mmg experience yang tak dapat dilupakan!

  3. 07 Apr 08 6:38 pm

    i’ve become a waiter once…
    a year after that, the boss promoted me to head waiter…
    just as i’m getting to luv the job i had to quit and come home to the real world.

    i know how to be a waiter
    does that counts?

  4. 07 Apr 08 9:11 pm

    Point #6…. work for a day. Now that is unusual

    My method for a different day everyday:
    Perceive every thing in a sarcastic way. That way, I don’t get offended easily and I see humour where most people fail to see.

  5. banji
    08 Apr 08 10:18 pm

    filantera – Monday blues.. I’m having one too, thus no reply comment πŸ™‚

    qemmal – jadi promoter apa dulu? saya jual kasut kanak2 hehe

    DaPocket – That is quite an experience. I don’t know why but I take people satisfaction as my personal success everytime πŸ™‚ Always keep me motivated. But sometimes when we have to serve some jerk, the mood for the day will just go the drain

    3POINT8 – that’s a good idea. Sarcastic way of seeing things. any examples?

  6. 08 Apr 08 11:24 pm

    Examples…. When people make mean comments behind my back, naturally I’ll get angry and try to find out who that person is. Then I’ll take a moment to calm down, and leave it as it is. I find mysterious people talking behind my back appealing. Plus, if they do talk bad, I’ll just imagine a friend defending me. Though its an imaginary thought, but that kind of feeling is more comforting than the initial anger anytime.

  7. banji
    09 Apr 08 3:24 pm

    3POINT8 – I see what you meant. imagining a friend defending you is a unique method indeed. There’s no point of feeding the flame to that negativity right? if we continue to thiink what they might say, how dare they do this to you, you will only get worse.

    Better to think like u suggested, some positivity πŸ™‚

  8. 11 Apr 08 1:12 pm

    hehe jadi promoter yang buat orang annoying sometimes.

    yang tahan2 orang tgh jalan tu,nak jual produk.

    very challenging πŸ™‚

  9. banji
    11 Apr 08 10:55 pm

    qemmal – mmg annoying. selalunya mmg tak pandang langsung dan cakap..not interested2 πŸ™‚

banji Read LessonInLife.com In Your Email

Please enter your email address
    Unconventional Guides
    Advertise here
    Handbook for Life
RECENT READERS