What is Adventure?

What do you envision when you hear the word adventure? The Legend of King Arthur? Climbing Everest? Maybe that one friend that always calls a night out an adventure? Let’s be honest, it’s difficult to nail down what constitutes an adventure. It’s my belief this is because the idea of an adventure is much more intrinsic then you may think. 

I ask the question “what is adventure” because I see a real opportunity to define what constitutes an adventure. The goal? To help you frame a mindset of opportunity because our greatest inhibitor is our perspective. Now if you’re here for a scientific metric to base each experience off, I apologize it’s not that type of post. But if you're still interested let’s get into it.

WHENEVER YOU TAKE AN ACTION ASK YOURSELF. AM I PUSHING MYSELF OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE?

Now before I start to sound like a motivational blog, I want to ask you what you think is the point of an adventure? Think about it while I give you my thoughts. The goal of an adventure is to grow and growth begins when you become self-aware. Self-aware of your shortcomings and your strengths, recognizing your perspective isn’t the only one, being aware that you have a lot to offer the world and that you just need to take the steps to actualize your gifts. I believe the mark of a great adventure is if you feel you’ve learned something about yourself and if you feel like you haven’t, perfect, ask yourself why. Boom you’ve learned and you’ve grown. 

Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Believe me when I say this doesn’t mean buying a one-way ticket to southeast Asia and backpacking solo through the jungle with $1.56 to your name. It means asking yourself difficult questions. Having the courage to not only be honest with the world but with yourself (you’ll know if you aren’t). It means seeing the opportunity in every day and taking it. Often we drift back our comfort zone but what we don’t recognize it is in this zone we stagnate. I’m not saying to abandon your comfort zone, I’m saying be aware you’re in it and if growth is what you want you’ll leave it voluntarily. 

Your Effort Compounds

Adventure isn’t meant to be just fun and games. There will be moments of joy and moments of despair. I think the problem most people get into is that they’re waiting for a perfect moment. Some kind of magical eureka moment that gives you the roadmap to happiness. Not going to happen, that perfect moment doesn’t exist. What I have observed is your effort compounds. Every time you choose to go on an adventure no matter how small, you grow. That growth compounds and isn’t linear; it’s exponential. So just get out there and try.

So where’s the magical one-liner that will define adventure and bring endless inspiration to your life? It’s simple:

ADVENTURE IS AN ACTION THAT HELPS YOU PUSH THE BOUNDARY OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE.

Interpret as you wish, but think about it. Don’t just attach a feeling to it and spout love or distaste. While you are thinking about it I’m going to challenge you to do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. For some, it means quitting your job and buying a one-way ticket somewhere and for others, it means striking conversation with one new person a day. Doesn’t matter how big or how small you think it is just start. Your comfort zone is like a muscle it’s going to grow every time you push.

Don’t live a life of regret, you got one shot at life I hope you take it. It’s a sad day for humanity when you don’t allow yourself to shine (fluffy but I stand by it).

Agree or disagree. Tell me what you think. Seriously I’d love to hear it.