Time to bring some adventure in your life.
I am just coming off my latest adventure to the Seychelles and Dubai. Two incredible places that I highly recommend anyone to visit.
For the past 7 years I have visited 8 countries. Three of the countries I went to multiple times and twice I was in one country for three months each time. In other words, I have traveled abroad 16 times over the last 7 years.
Let's just say I love to travel. More than anything, I love the adventure of discovering new places, cultures, foods, and people.
My life has not always been this way. There was a time when traveling was out of the question. Not for lack of desire, like many people, but for the lack of financial resources.
I had a conversation with a close friend a few days before I had embarked on my latest adventure. I told him that I value travel and adventure more than having the latest TV or smartphone. To me, I would rather spend a thousand dollars on a plane ticket than on a new TV.
So, here are 6 ways to create more adventure in your life.
First, think of what adventure means to you. Does it mean going on a hike, traveling abroad, or going on a road trip? To each their own, but whatever your sense of adventure is give some thought to doing the opposite or something different.
If going on a road trip is adventurous to you, think of flying somewhere and renting a car and going on a road trip from there. I have not spent much time on the east coast. There are plenty of eastern states that I have never been to but would love to visit.
Adventure to me requires a passport, but I can also see myself heading out east and renting a car and visit some new places.
2. Many times people don't give much thought to the playground that is in their own backyard. I'm not referring to the backyard to your house, but to the area you live in. I have been fortunate to live in some amazing cities. As I look back, I notice there were places that I did not take the time to see while I lived there.
Here is an example. I lived in Bend, Oregon for 9 years. It took me 7 years to finally hit the biking trails in Bend. One trail in particular is, Phil's Trail. For those who know about Phil's Trail, please pick up your jaw from the floor because I know how crazy you must think I am right now. Phil's Trail is an awesome biking trail that goes on forever and the trail head was around ten minutes from my house. Crazy, right! I've been told that people move to Bend specifically to ride Phil's Trail!
Don't be like me. Become like a tourist in your area and see why people come and visit or the surrounding areas and start taking advantage of these places.
3. Now it’s time to have a little fun and do some dream building. Go to https://www.google.com/flights/
Destination Europe, South America, Asia...where ever you desire. Once you put your airport or location then type your desired destination or area. Google will come up with some suggestions and the current prices.
Have fun with this. Try different locations. Explore. Have fun! Then start packing!
4. Start saving, or better yet, start thinking about getting rid of some stuff to help you get the funds to go on your next adventure.
If you are currently renting a storage space to store your stuff, this is sucking adventure money from you every month. Have a look at all the stuff you currently have stored away and see if you can get rid of it. Sell it and or get rid of it so that the monthly fee can start going towards future adventures.
5. By now you should be getting very excited about your next adventure. Most of the international travel I have done has been solo. But, the best of times can also be shared with others. Think of someone else that would like to go on an adventure too and invite them into the mix.
I remember the first time I went with a friend to Costa Rica. It was his first time out of the country. I really wanted him to have a great time and Costa Rica is a great place to experience international travel for the first time. We ended up having a blast. Now, he can't stop thinking about his experience and is looking forward to his next adventure abroad.
Find someone you think you can travel and have a good time with and start planning.
6. Be ready, because once you catch the travel bug, you are stuck with it. Wanderlust will be your new companion and you will not be able to stop. What hobbies or topics are you interested in.
While I was training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I always wanted to travel to Brazil to train. Training in Brazil is much different than training in the U.S. However, so many great Brazilian instructors have come over to the states that it is not even required to travel to Brazil to get solid training.
But, there is just something about training in a place where it all started. The culture, food, language, and people are not going to be the same as it would be in Brazil. So, I opted to go to Brazil twice to train. I got my ass kicked, but I still learned a lot. It was a great experience. I can easily go back.
Traveling is fun and no matter where I have been, I always learn something about myself. I always give myself time to reflect and set goals while I’m in beautiful places. These opportunities have helped me to learn about myself and where I want to improve.
No matter how you define adventure, try and mix it up a little. Be willing to go outside your comfort zone. Invite some friends along and have the time of your life. The best times of my life have been in other countries, eating delicious foods, meeting new people, and having the opportunity for self-reflection, which has helped me to become a better man.
Priceless!