A perpetual late adopter, I've missed out on too many trends. I'm changing that.

We all have regrets about a time when we ignored the advice of a friend, prejudged a business opportunity, or just plain played it too safe. I'm working to stop this from happening to me, and here are some actions that will work for you.

1. Keep an open mind.

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. Without opening yourself to new things, there is no path for the next big thing to catch hold. The next big thing is very rarely what you've already done for decades.

2. Listen to other people.

People often talk about what they know. They also talk about their passions. If you surround yourself with people you trust, you should listen when they tell you about something new. Ask them questions and try to dive deeper with them. You will gain some knowledge, and the one you're listening to will feel heard and respected.

3. Commit some resources.

Once and idea has sparked your interest, commit some resources. If it's a programming language, spend time going past "hello world". If it's crypto, invest a small amount of money. It doesn't have to be a lot. It can be time, money, or some other resource. Even a small seed of commitment can keep you coming back for more.