Why it matters: Using barriers to jumpstart habits can actually be a really helpful tool when starting new things. Leaders can use these to their advantage and encourage innovation, creativity, and growth.

We only had 10 minutes to strategize, write, design, tag, approve, and move on.

I was meeting with my cofounder in one of my businesses, Startup Women NC, and we realized we were missing a very important promotion for someone giving us a generous donation of their time. We immediately knew if we didn’t drop everything to execute on this oversight, we would get swept away in the never-ending to-do list on our bi-weekly agenda.

Gif by disneyplus on Giphy

“I’m setting a timer for 10 minutes, and whatever we do in that ten minutes is what we do,” I said. “Let’s beg, borrow, and steal from ourselves to get this done.”

As I pressed “Start” on my iPhone timer, we started to nervous chuckle at the realization of how little time 10 minutes really was.

The next day, I learned about forcing functions and it got my head spinning about the novelty experiment.

Forcing functions are items or events put into place to force an action. For example, speed bumps require drivers to slow their driving. They’re hard to avoid, typically put into places where high speeds could cause danger, and therefore force a behavior change (the slowing vehicle) in order to elicit an outcome (safer environment).

This is what I had found the day before- that our 10 minute timer acted as a forcing function to not allow us to over-create to perfection, and therefore waste time, but instead focus on completion as success.

The Novelty Experiment is another example for me this year. I’ve committed to doing 100 novel things, and I’ve opened it up to anyone who wants to join me by participating in a 30-day challenge.

We can use novelty seeking as our collective forcing function.

But to what outcome?

As a leader:

Innovation catalyst (novelty-seeking rewires pattern recognition, making creative solutions more accessible)
Enhanced problem-solving (diverse experiences build cognitive flexibility to approach challenges from multiple angles)
Out-of-the-box thinking (breaking routine creates new neural pathways that prevent default, conventional responses)
Human-centric team building (shared novel experiences create psychological safety and deeper trust faster than traditional team-building)

As a person:

Cognitive health as we age (slowed cognitive decline)
Community building (the bonds formed through shared experiences)
Intentional presence (marking time through memorable moments, not just deadlines)
Redefining productivity (from output → lived experience)

(you can learn all about the science in this post)

With our January challenge drawing to a close, we’re right on time for you to jump in now. For the Novelty Crew, I have your sneak peek of February’s challenge below.

If you want to join us, the 30-day challenge is easy- I’ll help you pick one thing per month, to help you start to explore what novelty means to you.

This can be your forcing function.

Talk soon,

Rachel
Leadership trainer, novelty junkie, and human being

P.S. Want to stay inspired by the journey? Follow along on Instagram, or anywhere your social media preferences are.

CREW CONTENT

Here’s your sneak peek of the February theme!

As a crew member, below we’ll explore:

February’s theme is…
A preview of what I’ll be doing in February
What’s coming next week

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I'm doing 100 novel experiences this year to learn what it means to be human-centric at work and at home.

Join me on the adventures by becoming part of the Novelty Club, and get behind-the-scenes information, special invitations, access to join me in 30-day challenges, and more!

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Thanks for joining me on my search for novelty and one human-centric leaders's journey towards a more balanced life.