Ask yourself why you want to be adventurous. What do you think it will provide to you? Do you want to be open to all possibilities? If so, you are correct. If you’re not sure exactly what you want, try imagining you’re on a desert island and nobody else’s opinion can affect you. What would you want then?[2] X Expert Source Kirsten Parker, MFAMindset & Action Coach Expert Interview. 22 July 2020. Conquering physical challenges requires you to overcome mental challenges as well. For example, if you train for and climb a mountain it will challenge your physical abilities and show you how physically and mentally strong you are. Do you think you have something to prove? Are you starved for attention? Why are you seeking a thrill? Do you think it will build your self-esteem? Do you just want to have more fun? Take a few minutes to answer these questions as it will help you craft a plan for action. Keep in mind that you should only change yourself for you. Don’t let other people’s expectations and standards affect how you live your life. [3] X Expert Source Kirsten Parker, MFAMindset & Action Coach Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.
Your fears might include public speaking, snakes, or high places. They may also include talking to strangers, being fired, or flunking a class. They may be rooted in a deeper fear of looking ignorant, being abandoned, or losing your sense of safety. Conquering fear leads to building trust in yourself, your thoughts and actions. You will learn that you can take care of yourself. For example, you may be too afraid to move out of your parent’s house because you don’t think you can do it. If you choose to be adventurous and move out and see that you can do it, you have conquered your fear. Use visualization techniques. Imagine yourself doing activities that challenge you to be adventurous and you coming out of it alive and healthy. These scenarios can be surfing, racing horses, exploring your musical talents or something smaller like asking an athlete for an autograph. Adventures can be big and small. You may be avoiding adventure due to a fear of uncertainty. You must tip the scales from certain toward uncertain to remove mental obstacles preventing you from being adventurous. For example, if you avoid or procrastinate participating in events because you don’t know what is going to happen, then set up small excursions that slowly build a tolerance. [6] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
If you need to feel safe before you are comfortable doing something new, use meditation and yoga to calm you and relieve stress. Once you establish a sense of safety and calm you will be more open to adventure. For example, you will go on vacation by yourself to Portugal despite not knowing any Portuguese. Give yourself a push toward feeling free. It can be helpful to say self-affirmations like, “Everything is going to be okay; I’m ready to get started; This change is going to be good for me!” Being vocal helps as well. Simply yelling at that moment works to expend the energy to move you forward. Take safety precautions. Being adventurous does not mean that you do things that are unsafe. Physically demanding adventures must include a deliberate evaluation of the dangers involved. For example, if you want to learn to race a boat, you must research the safety requirements. Consulting with a professional is advised. [8] X Research source
If you want to be adventurous in your career, access questionnaires online that help identify your interests. [9] X Research source Talk to people who are doing the things that interest you. Ask them if they have any tips for getting involved. You might discover new interests that you didn’t even know about. For example, there might be a martial arts studio that you drive by each day. One day you decide to be adventurous and make a visit. You observe a class and like what you see, and sign up for a class.
Choose a mentor to help you. A mentor can be a friend, family member or someone you are acquainted with at work. Talk to the person and ask, “I am trying to be more adventurous in my life and it seems like you do that really well. Is there any advice you can give me? Would you mind if I checked in with you periodically to talk about this?” You can model your behavior after a professional you don’t know. For example, if there is an oceanographer you admire who has a TV show you can watch the show and follow the person on social media. You can ask the person questions via social media channels.
It could be fun to plan an adventure with friends. Discuss and agree to have each person take responsibility for a task that needs to be accomplished. For example, one person can check on airline ticket prices; another person identifies things to do when you are at your destination. Travel around the world. With proper planning it is possible to travel the world in cost-effective ways. It may be cheaper to do than you think. Investigate costs before you allow it to deter you from being adventurous. [12] X Research source
Set your limits and boundaries. [13] X Research source Being adventurous will involve doing things that are outside your comfort zone. You may be comfortable hiking in nature, but you have no interest in skydiving. Be reasonable with yourself and know your limits. Don’t be afraid to tell others that you have limits as well. One way to take action is to vary your routine. Avoid getting stuck in a rut doing the same things the same way over and over. Even something as simple as shopping for groceries in a new market will give you a new perspective. Being adventurous can open you to new possibilities. For example, you go to the new market and meet someone who turns out to offer you a job, take you on a date, or he knows someone you grew up with that you haven’t seen in years. This would not have happened without you taking adventurous action.
Locate groups online and screen them for compatibility. For example, if you like computer animation, perhaps you could find a local animation film festival and volunteer to work there. You will meet people who not only share an interest in animation, but you get to learn about the film festival process. Observe bulletin boards at school or in public places. There are groups that meet and are always looking for new members. Take a chance. It might change your life. Attend an event and ask questions. For example, you attend a motorcycle show and ask one of the curators, “This show is fantastic. How does someone get involved in putting something like this on?” Most people will have a short conversation with you that might lead you to something exciting.
Create situations for yourself that will force you out of your comfort zone. Awkwardness is the first step toward learning something new. Read books about things you know nothing about, then make a point to talk to others about it. Talk to people doing jobs that you have never done. Observe people at play, doing their job, or relaxing with friends and family. Notice the things they do that are similar and different than the way you do them. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Develop your resume and examine the skills that you have and how they might apply to a new career. You may need to take additional classes to complete a certificate or degree to enter your new field of interest. This may take time, but the rewards will pay off as long as you see it as a great adventure to make you happy.
Make a list of the things in your life that made you feel bad, or caused you to be fearful and added to your lack of adventure. Then, one by one recreate the situations and make things right. If you struck out in a game, join a recreation team and with diligent practice you will be hitting in clutch situations in no time. The key will be for you to acknowledge your efforts even if you aren’t a star player.
If you feel yourself settling into a down mood, push yourself to take on a new adventure. Let the rewards boost your mood. Praise yourself for the work you do to be adventurous. Motivate yourself by saying, “You’re adventurous because you are living life to the fullest. Congratulations. ”
