The adventurous mindset

In a world brimming with opportunities and endless paths waiting to be discovered, the essence of adventure transcends physical deeds or adrenaline-fueled escapades. Being adventurous today is not limited to any specific activity or experience; rather, it's about having the mindset and willingness to explore new things, regardless of their nature or scale.

Someone who is adventurous may engage in activities such as visiting unfamiliar destinations, trying new foods or pushing boundaries in personal or professional pursuits. They may also possess a curiosity for the unknown, a thirst for exploration and a readiness to take calculated risks. Ultimately, being adventurous is about living with a sense of daring and enthusiasm and being open to the possibilities that life has to offer.

The need for adventure has never been more pronounced. While our modern world offers a plethora of comforts and conveniences designed to make life easier, it's also easy to fall into the trap of monotony and complacency. The comfort crisis, characterised by a sedentary lifestyle, routine-driven existence, and fear of the unknown has subtly crept into the fabric of our society, dulling our senses and stifling our innate sense of exploration. 

Adventure, therefore, becomes not just a luxury but a vital antidote to the stagnation and sameness that permeate our daily lives. It serves as a powerful catalyst for growth, pushing us beyond our comfort zones and into the realm of uncertainty, where true discovery lies. 

Over the years, I’ve interviewed many adventurers who have displayed this sense of adventure through their remarkable accomplishments, whether that's rowing across the Pacific Ocean, cycling along the Silk Road or skiing to the South Pole. These individuals share common characteristics that underpin the adventurous mindset. These are curiosity, confidence and self-belief, tolerance of risk and uncertainty, action orientation, and resilience, which we will delve deeper into now.

Most of the breakthrough discoveries and remarkable inventions throughout history have something in common - they result from curiosity. The impulse to seek new information and experiences is a basic human attribute.

One example of this is the discovery of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Petra was hidden from the Western world for centuries until it was rediscovered by a Swiss adventurer, Johan Burckhardt in 1812. He had been intrigued by accounts of a city carved into the red-rose cliffs written about in ancient texts and set about trying to find it. Knowing it was dangerous to travel in the region where people were often robbed, Burckhardt disguised himself as an Arab and hired Bedouins to guide him to the ruins which he believed were in a narrow mountain valley. His curiosity and desire led to the rediscovery of one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, now visited by over 600,000 people every year. 

When curiosity is triggered, we are more likely to think deeply about possibilities and develop more creative solutions. Curiosity can serve as an antidote to judgment, which, while offering a quick method for decision-making, judgment can undermine our capacity to explore the unknown. For example, I’ve heard tourists decide not to visit a particular city or tourist attraction because it’s too busy, unsafe or boring based on purely hearsay or one negative review. 

Another example of the power of curiosity is the story of Chaewon Yoo. While living and working in Shanghai she heard about a 60-year-old couple planning to cycle over 8,500 km from Shanghai to London along the Silk Road. Meeting this couple, Yoo decided that if the older couple could do it, maybe she could too, even though she was 30 years younger. In the end, Yoo followed her curiosity and set out on the journey, completing the entire route in just over 36 weeks despite not having cycled long distances before.  

Confidence in one's abilities is an essential trait when exploring new places. It empowers travellers to venture beyond their comfort zones and persevere through discomfort, trusting that the rewards will outweigh the challenges. This was particularly true for the intrepid adventurers in the late 1990s who sought to explore the Arctic and Antarctic regions aboard expedition ships.

Often, these ships were built as oceanic research vessels for scientific purposes and were then repurposed to take tourists to the polar regions. Practicality was the selling point, not luxury. Fortunately, relying solely on this option is no longer necessary. Nowadays, numerous small expedition ships provide an experience akin to being aboard a luxury yacht, complete with all the comforts associated with this mode of travel.

While confidence is an important quality for adventurers, there are times when naivety can also prove beneficial. This was the case for single-handed sailor Oscar Mead. At just 18 years old, he became the youngest person to compete in and complete the Original Single-handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) in 2009, the world's oldest amateur solo sailing challenge. Despite facing winds exceeding 50mph, towering waves, and numerous equipment failures, Mead's optimism and confidence in his problem-solving abilities remained unwavering. He tackled each challenge head-on, undeterred by the uncertainties of the voyage.

Later, Mead's resilience and ingenuity were further demonstrated when he applied his skills to the design of a new type of lifejacket harness inspired by a tragic incident where a sailor lost his life after falling overboard while tethered to his boat.

Embracing risk and uncertainty lies at the core of every adventure, requiring people to cultivate a confident relationship with the unknown. Expedition cruises present a unique set of risks distinct from those encountered on larger ships. One of these risks stems from the exploratory nature of the planned itinerary, frequently characterised by expedition leaders as aspirations and intentions rather than a rigidly defined plan. This is due to factors like fast-changing weather and sea conditions in remote parts of the world and the exploratory nature of the itineraries. Expedition leaders must delicately balance the desire to offer captivating exploration opportunities with the need to align with guests' initial expectations to ensure a fulfilling experience without straying too far from the planned route. 

I was recently on an expedition cruise to Northeast Greenland – a stunning location that offers beautiful vistas and varied wildlife. Most expedition landings here are carried out by zodiacs, small inflatable boats that ferry passengers straight onto the shore, as there are no docks or piers available. These small boats have the advantage of maneuverability and require guests to disembark into shallow water, known as a ‘wet landing’.

Once on land, the group disperses into smaller walking parties with the hiking routes being determined at the time according to the terrain, individuals’ level of fitness and potential points of interest. Such excursions are challenging to meticulously plan because of the myriad factors that can influence the outcome. Yet, they epitomise the essence of adventure, inviting participants to embrace the present and enjoy the thrill of the unknown.

Those with an adventurous mindset are often proactive decision-makers who take the initiative and turn their dreams into reality. When considering an expedition ship adventure, they are more likely to take the necessary steps to plan and prepare for the journey well in advance. Whether researching destinations, booking rooms or arranging logistics, they can overcome any anxiety to make decisions and take action.

For others, however, fear can be paralysing. Faced with decisions, they become so apprehensive about making the wrong choice that they opt for inaction instead. Recently, I encountered a situation with a friend who was indecisive about booking a holiday. They couldn't decide between a sunny getaway or exploring a city. As they deliberated over every possible scenario and worried about potential pitfalls – like the weather, crowds, language barriers and culinary preferences – the early booking holiday prices expired, resulting in additional costs.

Psychologist Dr. Kevin Dutton at Oxford University describes this approach as being like a ‘psychological splasher.’  He describes two approaches people have when getting in the sea: jumpers and splashers. The splashers enter slowly. They stand ankle-deep in the water, splash their faces, and hope to acclimate to the cold temperature over time. The jumpers simply dive straight in.

Dutton refers to a study where scientists studied the pain levels of the two groups as they got into the ocean, and they found that the splashers suffered the most. They had to deal with the pain of the cold and the mental pain of dread, nervousness and anticipation. The jumpers removed mental anguish by getting it over with straight away. They only had to deal with the cold. All that dread disappeared as soon as they jumped in. So, when it comes to making decisions about where to travel, it can be helpful to embrace the mentality of the jumpers. 

The final characteristic of the adventurous mindset is resilience—the ability to bounce back after disappointment or a series of setbacks. Chaewon Yoo, the cyclist, faced a major setback four months into her adventure from Shanghai to London. She had been cycling with a friend, but after numerous arguments, he decided not to continue and left without a word. This surprised her, and it took her two weeks to accept that he wouldn't be returning. However, this experience made her even stronger, as she realised she would be cycling solo from then on. What helped her to be resilient was knowing that she had 14 sponsors for the trip whom she had assured that she would complete the journey, and it was this sense of responsibility kept her going.

Despite facing obstacles or difficulties, many determined people find ways to transform their ambitions into tangible realities. I have found that reminding oneself of the fundamental reason driving one's endeavour can prove invaluable when times get tough, especially when keeping one motivated.

Adventures don’t always have to be about distant lands or amazing feats. Bringing an adventurous mindset to life and to our travels teaches us to find wonder in the small, everyday experiences and have the confidence to tackle challenges head-on, embracing uncertainty and risk as opportunities for growth. By integrating these characteristics into how we travel, we can become more open to a world of exploration, discovery and personal growth, transforming each day into an adventure waiting to be embraced. Perhaps this will help you find the right adventure of a lifetime and experience a sense of daring and new possibilities.