Most people stick to the straight and narrow. They only hang around people from there own "class" (anybody who says we don't have a class system in the US is missing brains cells.). They don't go after goals very far out of reach (An accountant trying to become a partner in an accounting firm is NOT usually stretching themselves much... but when they try to become an auto mechanic! That will challenge them!) And not only will they not read about things they aren't familiar with--they won't read at all. People today don't do that "book thing."

What does this lead to? B-O-R-I-N-G! People who could make Tony Robbins develop narcolepsy. People who bore they‘re spouses into cheating on them for a cheap thrill. People who walk around in a dull funk, zombies, vaguely aware of the world around them. People who are afraid if you talk to them in the streets.

Here’s what to do to become more interesting:

*Practice the art of conversation with lots of people

*Develop new abilities: learn guitar, piano, drawing.

*Do something you are WAY afraid of: skydiving, water rafting, dating a supermodel :)

• Get cultural! Visit the museum, the symphony or a play. You don’t even have to pay! You can usher, which means you’ll meat new people and learn some backstage stuff.

*Chat with people you never would! Black people, white people, Chinese people, dead people… well maybe not that far.

*Go for a ride along with a police officer.

*Do a shadow shift with a doctor.

• Go to a dance class. This is especially useful if you‘re a man because most men don’t like dancing and call it a wussy thing to do. If only they saw all the beautiful women who love to dance…

• About face! On the other hand, if you are the more sophisticated bloke, try slumming it. Play baseball, watch a football game, go to a nightclub, watch a monster truck race. Get your hands dirty!

• Try public speaking. There are few things that can give you as much feedback and practice in keeping people’s attention as keeping a group of people’s interest. Every improvement in your public speaking will reap rewards in many aspects of your personal life.

• Record yourself. This gives you superb feedback on what you are truly like. If you bore yourself, you may bore others. On the other hand, some people are so self-conscious they lose attention by there nervousness. Listening or watching yourself on tape may make you lighten up on yourself and become more lively and less insecure.

*Drink lots and lots of alcohol. Kidding.

Here’s your test: Don’t just think about these and analyze whether you think they’ll work… decide on something to try than go out and do it! Then tell me what happens.

Chad Ernst is the owner of a popular public speaking website. He also manages the websites for a manufacturer of sandals, flip flops, slides and clogs