Are you starved for action (minds out of the gutter, please)? Are you overworked and finding yourself vegging out on the couch every weekend? Well, stop it.

You need to get off your ass and go do something fun and adventurous. Leave it to me, your intrepid guide to all things fun and adventurous, to show you how in five easy steps.

1. Just go

We discussed spontaneity in my last post, and I really believe it does wonders for people. It’s not a full-time approach, especially for you planning types, as I found out. But when I’m about to die from boredom, I’ll just walk out the door and see where the road takes me.

Go for a hike, a bike ride, a swim—anything to break the couch potato routine.

2. Save money

I have expensive taste in beer. I wonder at times if the $8 IPA I’m drinking is better than skydiving or taking scuba diving classes.

You too might have expensive taste in something, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

It would be interesting, however, to cut back for even one month, diverting your saved funds into a “let’s do something awesome soon” piggy bank. Just a thought.

3. Buddy up

You need a buddy who has something epic planned every weekend.

Chances are likely he/she will invite you along at some point, meaning all you have to do is show up. Gear will usually be provided by your buddy, which is especially good if you’re hoping to try something out for the first time.

4. Buy the gear

This isn’t always the best approach. Garages the world over are cluttered with too much crap because people rush into buying gear, using it only once.

If you’ve considered taking up an adventurous hobby, the best way to get started is to dive right in.

Say you’re thinking about getting into mountain biking (and you should, by the way). Research bikes, set a price point, talk to your local bike shop, make the purchase. Boom! You’re well on your way to shredding big downhill sections.

Be sure to actually use your gear more than once. Otherwise, I will stop by to confiscate everything. It’s the right thing to do.

5. Join a club

I used to think joining a club was the lamest thing ever. This might have something to do with the fact that I started an airplane club when I was a kid, and nobody joined. Their loss. Not mine.

The more I think about it, though, clubs are a great way to become acquainted with like-minded people. And with this nifty thing called the internet, joining a club is as easy as searching for “awesome beer drinkers who snowboard.”

Can you think of any “get off your ass and go do something fun” tips I missed?