How to Plan your Family Adventure

In Good Company

Lewis, Clark and Sacagewea…. They are kind of the poster children for American Adventure. They didn’t know what all was going to happen on their journey but they had a plan. They wanted to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean. Well, water doesn’t travel in a straight line so guess what they checked constantly? If you said They checked where North was you are correct!!! Gold star for you!

The journey was also full of unexpected complications and hurdles. When facing adversity like disease, boating accidents, falling off the side of a mountain, and other near death experiences it gives one pause and more than a moment to reflect on things like WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING THIS FOR??? Behold, the power and importance of the internal compass…

Guide by Compass

Whether a pirate or a mom, to plan your family adventure, you need the right tools. Every good adventurer guides by compass. This is because an adventurer knows they are never lost as long as they know where North is. It’s a foundational thought that’s been around for thousands of years.

What’s your True North? Ask yourself why you want to create these adventures. What’s the guidepost? There is no wrong answer here but having clarity as to why will keep your excitement genuine, will guide you to appropriate adventures and will serve you and those who travel with you well. To get to your True North, let’s ask some questions.

Define your True North

*Do you want to spend more time with your family?

*Do you want to teach something? learn something?

*Do you want to live your genealogy? Your family history?

*Do you need to get outdoors more?

*Do you just need a kick in the rear to do something different?

*Do you need to have a better story than Tom at the next office party? He’s such a show off that guy.

Adventure Notebook

Take some time to ask yourself these questions and let your mind wander a little. Often one question leads to another and it’s all good! The more you can answer in detail, the more clarity you have and the more pin pointed your True North will be. This is a good thing! Jot the answers down in a dedicated notebook and keep it handy. If you ever lose sight of your reasons for inviting adventure into your life, you can reconnect by visiting this page again.

TIP: If you do all steps outlined in the Adventure 101 series, you’ll use this notebook again and it will turn into a treasure that you will be able to pass on to grandchildren and great grands. It will become your bonafide Adventure Book so make it pretty! You are creating something unique and special… a story that only you will be able to tell and THAT kind of keepsake to pass on is absolutely priceless!!!

Now What

That’s the only assignment for today. It seems simple enough but in some ways it’s the toughest thing to do because it requires a moment of silence to actually hear your inner thoughts. Getting to the crux of any matter takes a wee bit of time but it makes all the difference in the world. I encourage you to read the questions again and go for a little walk. Let them marinate a bit in your head and all the other brain clutter go away. When you come back, sit down with your Adventure Book and write down the answers. Write your True North in big letters. Assignment complete! Relax!! Or… click for the next installment of Adventure 101 and invite more adventure into your life!!

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