Scramble your life, and…

When was the last time you took a decision that made your stomach cramp, caused discomfort and made you feel anxious?

For my 40th birthday, and for the first time ever, I decided to treat myself to an unusual present. The half marathon Hatta Beast Spartan Race. For those who don’t know, this is a challenging 21km course, with 30 obstacles that require strength, skill and grit. The experience took place on a relatively cold November 26th (1 day prior to my birthday) in Hatta, a beautiful uneven terrain that leaves your lungs and legs burning.

When I took the decision to participate in this event – and I encourage all of you to experience it one day – my stomach cramped, I felt uncomfortable, and I was anxious. That whole experience, from registering, exercising, participating and completing the challenge, was an experience that I will never forget. Besides competing against more than 300 athletes and taking first place in my age group (showing off), it taught me one incredible lesson. Scramble your life, and…

Scramble your life… step outside your comfort zone… try something new every now and then, even if it is scary…

Scramble your life… Life can settle into a comfortable rhythm, a routine that brings familiarity and security. But while comfort has its place, sticking to it too tightly can leave us stagnant, missing out on the richness and growth that lie just beyond our perceived boundaries. This is where the importance of trying new things comes in, as it is key to a fulfilling life.

New experiences challenge you, pushing you to learn and develop new skills, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting your confidence.

They boost happiness, and spark creativity, leading to innovative solutions and unexpected discoveries. Remember, some of the greatest inventions happened by accident, a testament to the power of exploring uncharted territory.

Scramble your life… as it teaches you adaptability – the ability to adjust and thrive in the face of the unexpected.

In today's fast-paced world, clinging to rigid routines can leave us outdated, overwhelmed, and not in control of our own life. Whether it's a challenge in your career or a personal one, or even navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape, those who embrace change with open arms tend to fare better.

Life throws curveballs. It is those individuals who understand the concept of adaptability, who would bounce back quicker, viewing these setbacks as learning experiences rather than roadblocks.

Scramble your life… it opens doors to opportunity. If you’re not open to new ideas you will never unlock new possibilities. Picking up new skills and navigating unfamiliar situations, make you a valuable asset in any team. Trying new activities opens doors to meeting new people who share your interests, fostering friendships and expanding your social circle.

While I look back and celebrate the accomplishment of running the 21km Hatta trail, I recognize the importance of such a small win and I pledged to myself that I will try something new every month. That sense of accomplishment from overcoming these stomach cramps made me want to do more.

This year, I will watch Dubai from the sky while I free fall for 40 seconds at Skydive Dubai . I will have an ultimate experience driving a Formula single-seater in Dubai Autodrome Circuit . I will overcome the mental hurdle and run a full marathon. I will participate in a charity challenge with my fellow Omnicom Media Group (MENA) colleagues, taking part of a volcano quest hike and climb Mount Muhabura.

I will scramble my life.

To those of you who continued reading, take a deep breath, silence the inner critic, and scramble your life. You might just surprise yourself with what you discover… as you unscramble yourself!