Credits to Jessica Hagy’s book, “How to Be Interesting (On 10 Simple Steps)”
Cross Pollinate
You’ve got a thing, a schtick, a specialty. And so does everyone else. Don’t just associate with folks who do what you do. Seek out those with different passions. You’ll be able to experience exponentially more.
Take Daily Vacations
If only for a few minutes. Stroll around in the early hours, when the sunlight is a sliver. Walk to a different mailbox. Read magazines in a Laundromat. Shower in the dark. Sip hot chocolate in an alley. Reclaim your spare moments.
Unplug
Without a map, you can find unchartered places. Be unreachable; you can talk to people on your journey. Miss a few updates from others, and discover yourself instead. Your gadgets are tethering you to a world you know very well. Turn them off to explore new places.
Instigate
Do not wait until tomorrow. Say, do, or make it now. Go where you need to be. Do not wait to be invited places. Host your own parties. Do not sit by the phone. Pick it up. Spread the word. Press the buttons. Buy the tickets and enjoy the show.
Invite More Than You R.S.V.P.
Bring others into your world. Let them play where you hang out. Don’t wait for invitations when you can host. You can get something started as long as there is at least one person you can invite.
Be a Link—Not an Endpoint
Don’t just tell. Don’t just listen. Make introductions. Set up strangers. Pass on what you know. This is how ideas snowball into events. You can be the fulcrum upon which an entire community turns.
Tinker
Start with a wonder. How does this work? What makes that happen? Then poke. Take things apart and put them back together. Push buttons. Change settings. See how the pieces fit. See what powers the engine. See how interesting it all is.
Smile at Sneers
Not everyone will understand you. Not everyone will appreciate you. Not everyone will embrace you. Do not change for them.
Give Selfishly
It feels good to be kissed back. It feels great to give gifts. It feels spectacular to be a catalyst to the happiness of someone else. Being generous is satisfying.
Investigate the Obscure
Revive forgotten stories. Read old books. Dust off forgotten trends. Listen to rare music. You might find your favorite things hiding in the woodwork.
Imagine Your Own Caricature
Your nose. Your walk. Your hair. Your teeth. Your house. Your school. Your middle name. They’re actually pretty funny, if you think about them. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Ask More Questions
Interesting people are interested in things other than themselves. They’re educationally omnivorous. And so they end a lot of sentences with honest question marks.
Remain a Student
Sign up to learn things. Philosophy, archery, accounting, painting, diving, fire eating—anything you can admit you do not understand. You never know when you’ll need a random skill.
Be a Sidekick
To everyone you meet. Be the helper, the adviser, the assistant the hero cannot do without. Fame and value aren’t as closely related as you think.
Further Reading
Follow Jessica Hagy on Twitter: @jessicahagy
Read Jessica’s blog: Indexed
emilylinginfelter.com 