5 Ways to Get More Out of 2017

When a new year rolls around, most of us start thinking about ways we can make it better than the last. This can mean resolutions that you try to stick to or even just promising yourself that you’ll do a specific thing.

Whatever it is that you think will make 2017 better than 2016, it’s important to remember to try and get as much out of the next 12 months as you can. Part of this comes from doing and trying totally new things, whether you’ve wanted to for a while or just take a leap on the spur of the moment.

To help you get the most out of 2017 and to give up on making excuses why you can’t, here are five things you might want to try this year:

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There’s nothing like jumping out of a plane and hurtling toward the earth to help you make the most of a year. Most people who take the leap – pardon the pun – say they’d do it again and that it is one of the best experiences, so what are you waiting for?

You can do a skydive for yourself or to raise money for charity, which might help convince you to go up in the plane in the first place. It could even be a great activity for you and a friend or partner, which means you won’t need to suffer on your own.

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If you like the idea of getting on a plane but would rather avoid the whole jumping out of one thing, you might want to do some travelling this year. You’re sure to have a few places on your list of destinations that you want to head to, so stop waiting and book a trip or two.

Whether you want to go to Disney World, Rome, or New Zealand, you can make 2017 a year to remember by doing a spot of travelling. Of course, you could always just pick up and go travelling everywhere and anywhere over the next year if you really can’t decide on just one place.

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Those who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground might find that 2017 is the perfect opportunity to learn something new. Why not broaden your horizons by learning a new language, an instrument or how to cook?

You can learn on your own, join a local group, hire a tutor or go to classes. There are loads of things you could try and pick up and plenty of ways for you to go about learning whatever tickles your fancy. You never know, this could ultimately lead to a change of career, which really would be a great thing to come out of 2017.

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You could always do something really crazy and get in a cage to swim with sharks. This is something not everyone has done so you’ll have an excellent story, even if it doesn’t include a toothy close-up.

The best part about swimming with sharks – yes, there is a good part – is that you can’t do it in the UK, so you have the perfect excuse to head to sunnier climes. This means you can also enjoy things like scuba diving, or even opt for that rather than have a run-in with Jaws.

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If you want your year to go down in the history books, why not attempt a Guinness World Record? We can’t all be record-breaking runners or the fastest ever swimmer, but you might be able to sit in a bathtub filled with baked beans for longer than anyone else.

Not only will this probably be a lot of fun, you’ll be immortalised in the record books, which isn’t something everyone has experienced. Even if you don’t hold the record for long, you can say you’ve done it.

There are loads of ways you can make the most out of this year, whether you try something simple like learning how to make the perfect curry or something really crazy like abseiling down a mountain. The only thing you need to figure out is how far you want to go over the next 12 months.