The
Adventure Mindset and how it can change everything
Nobody
loves standing in long security lines, and I don’t know one person who
is thrilled by the fact that most airline seats only recline about four inches,
if you’re lucky.
But
I do know people who love to travel, door to door — not just when they
arrive at their resort.
I
know people who almost always have a great flight, no matter what. I’ve talked to people
whose trips got rained out, or who missed connecting flights, or who got lost,
or who even had passports stolen — and when I ask them how their trip was, they
smile and say, “It was great!” and proceed to tell me the full exciting tale.
So
what’s their secret?
I’ll tell you: they’ve let go of the
Perfectionist Mindset and adopted the Adventure Mindset. The difference between
these two paradigms changes everything.
The
Perfectionist sets unrealistically high expectations for themselves, others,
and situations — and when things don’t go well, they often fall into self-blame or
blaming others. The Adventurer makes a plan and is prepared, but is willing to
roll with what comes along that might not fit with “The Plan.”
The
Perfectionist often avoids risk and only goes with the obvious path in an
attempt to avoid “failure.” The Adventurer is less concerned with control and
more interested in creative approaches and critical thinking when it comes to
problem solving.
The
Perfectionist focuses on what isn’t working and is often impatient and critical.
The Adventurer sees what’s going well and what there is to be grateful
for and is quick to offer appreciation, flexibility, and help in tough
situations.
As
author and coach Naomi Teeter points out, the Adventurer knows how to ask
“quality questions” when faced with a challenge, questions like:
·
What’s
the best thing that could happen from this?
·
Hasn’t
everything worked out just fine in the past? Aren’t I OK?
·
What
if I chose to be happy and carefree about this instead?
·
What
is this teaching me?
·
How
can I use this experience to support others?
·
How
could I turn this into a great story?
·
What
can I do differently next time so that this doesn’t happen?
If
I’m honest with myself, I
know that there are times I fall into the Perfectionist Mindset, in travel and
in life. But I also know that at any moment, I can choose something different.
I can always choose an attitude of adventure. And as a lifelong traveler, that
has made all the difference.
If
you’re ready to plan your
next great adventure, I’d
love to help you get there.