Returning home, I became voracious in my consumption of travel literature, inspired by the tales of intrepid explorers. I was driven by a desire to see the world and test my physical limits. This newfound passion for pushing myself physically and mentally merged with my love for travel, culminating in my decision to cycle around the world.

The audacity of youth, coupled with a sense of ordinariness in my previous life, fueled this dream. Setting such a grand goal was easier without the constraints of adult responsibilities and societal pressures. I knew that even if I failed, I could return to a conventional life. This safety net made it simpler to embark on my ambitious journey.

Initially, I didn’t fully contemplate the enormity of cycling around the world. I viewed it more as an extended bike ride, planning to continue until my resources or motivation ran out. However, setting a lofty goal inadvertently pushed me to realize my potential, a lesson in aiming high that has stayed with me.

The journey was overwhelming when considered in its entirety. However, breaking it down into daily tasks—waking up, cycling, resting—made it manageable. This approach taught me that small steps lead to big goals. Successfully completing my trip around the world revealed that the world is kinder than it appears and boosted my confidence in setting and achieving ambitious goals.

Rather than quelling my thirst for adventure, my journey around the world intensified it. I realized that one lifetime isn’t enough to see all there is to see. This realization drove me to pursue more adventures, continually seeking new challenges and experiences.

Despite growing confidence and competence, I often felt like a fraud due to my pre-trip doubts and fears. Learning the Norwegian concept of “Dørstokkmila” (the doorstep mile) helped me understand that the hardest part of any journey is simply starting. This acceptance alleviated my self-doubt and reinforced the importance of beginning.

Balancing solo and group adventures, such as rowing across the Atlantic with strangers, taught me another valuable lesson: the importance of accepting help. Learning to acknowledge my weaknesses and accept assistance made our journey smoother and highlighted the significance of mutual support.

Living adventurously became my guiding principle, but I recognized the need to balance it with purpose. The environmental impact of my travels made me question the sustainability of constantly seeking distant adventures. This introspection led me to explore my local surroundings, aiming to discover the hidden gems in my backyard.

I bought a local map and spent a year exploring the ordinary, suburban landscape around me. To my surprise, this turned out to be one of the most rewarding travel experiences of my life. I discovered beautiful, overlooked places and connected deeply with my community. This journey revealed the interconnected problems of land use, environmental degradation, and nature disconnection, but it also highlighted the potential for local solutions.

By focusing on my local map, I realized that fixing our immediate surroundings could lead to broader positive change. Living adventurously and with purpose, I learned to appreciate the value of local exploration. This approach fosters curiosity, noticing, and a deeper connection with our environment.

_________

In summary, I’d boil the past 10,500 days down to these key points:

• **Dream Big, Start Small**: It all begins with a big dream and that first tiny step. Whether it’s a wild adventure or a bold business goal, the idea is to start moving, even if the path ahead isn’t entirely clear. Just take that first step.
• **Resilience Through Adversity**: Adventures come with their fair share of challenges, and the same goes for business. It’s about pushing through the tough times and seeing discomfort as a chance to grow. Embrace the bumps in the road as part of the journey.
• **The Magic of Microadventures**: You don’t need to trek across continents to have a meaningful adventure. Sometimes, the best experiences are right in your backyard. This idea of micro-adventures is a reminder that small, local efforts can lead to big discoveries. The same goes for business—look for those small innovations that can make a huge difference.
• **Learning from Failure and Embracing Vulnerability**: It’s okay to need help and admit when things aren’t going perfectly. Accepting your weaknesses and learning from failures can actually be your biggest strengths. In business, this fosters a supportive culture where everyone can grow and improve together.
• **Adventure as a Mindset**: Adopting an adventurous mindset means being curious, stepping out of your comfort zone, and enjoying the journey. This approach is just as useful in business, where innovation and enthusiasm can lead to great leadership and vision.
• **Purpose Beyond Profit**: It’s not just about the money. Combining adventure with a sense of purpose suggests that businesses should think about their impact on society and the environment. Success is sweeter when it’s meaningful.
• **Local Impact for Global Change**: My year of exploring locally taught me that focusing on your immediate surroundings can have a broader impact. For businesses, this means engaging with and supporting your local community, which can contribute to larger global changes.

It’s all about finding balance, embracing challenges, and making a positive impact through an adventurous life.

Here’s to the next 10,500…

• If you’d like to read more articles about Adventure + Purpose, please sign up for my free weekly newsletter here.