Ina Garten, 78: I like ‘working scared’ — why she keeps taking new challenges

# Overview Ina Garten, now 78, told Business Insider she intentionally seeks projects that make her feel slightly out of her depth. She described herself as someone who likes "working scared" because it keeps her engaged. Her decision rule for new work is simple: is it fun? If yes, she figures out how to make it enjoyable and takes it on.

# How she decides what to do Garten says she asks herself one direct question before committing: will this be fun? When the answer is yes, she moves forward and designs the work to preserve that enjoyment. She also waits for the right approach rather than accepting an opportunity on the other person's terms. She explained she will turn down offers for years until she can find a way to do them differently.

# Her attitude toward aging and risk Garten rejects the idea that people become more fearful with age. She says the opposite applies to her: boredom is her main enemy. Once she knows how to do something, she loses interest and looks for the next problem to solve. She has described herself as an "adrenaline junkie" who gives herself projects she initially believes are nearly impossible and then solves them.

# Practical takeaways for readers

• Use a single, sharp filter for new projects. Garten's test — "Is it fun?" — makes decisions fast and keeps work aligned with personal energy.
• Prioritize quality over quantity. Fewer, reliable outputs can be more useful and sustainable than many half-tested ones.
• Delay opportunities until you can shape them. Saying no early can create space to propose a different model you prefer.
• Treat later-life work as a place for fresh challenges, not retreat. Garten's example shows continuing curiosity can drive new creative ventures.

# What to watch next Garten's recent and upcoming media projects will show how she applies the same decision rules to interviews and audio-visual work. Her continued public projects demonstrate how she adapts long-standing creative principles to new formats.