The ADVENTURE MINDSET and how it can change everything.

Nobody loves standing in long security lines.   I don’t know anyone who is thrilled by the fact that most airline seats will only recline about four inches, if you’re lucky.

However, I do know people who love to travel door to door.  As soon as they leave home and right up to their return, they are as giddy as a teenager in love.  I know people who almost always have a great flight, no matter what.  I’ve talked to folks whose trips got rained out or who missed connecting flights or who got lost or who even had passports stolen!  When I ask them how their trip was, they always say, “It was great!” and then, they proceed to tell me the full exciting story.

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 every day situations.  When things don’t go well, they often fall into self-blame or blaming others. The Adventurer makes a plan and is fully prepared yet, 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 when it comes to problem solving.

The Perfectionist focuses on what isn’t working and is often impatient and critical. The Adventurer, on the other hand, sees what’s going well and what there is to be grateful for and is quick to offer appreciation and flexibility.  He is ready to 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 choose to be happy and carefree about this instead of panicking?
• What is this teaching me?
• How can I use this experience to assist and support others?
• How could I turn this into a great story?
• What can I do differently next time so that this doesn’t happen again?

If I’m honest with myself, I know that there are times I fall into the Perfectionist Mindset, both 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.  As I travel more during my retired/senior years, that is making a huge difference.

If you’re ready to plan your next great adventure, we’d love to help you get there. You can contact us today by clicking here.