The three focus areas to create resilience so you can achieve simplicity and stay inspired.
Today, I am sharing part of one of the chapters from my booklet. The booklet details my journey as a modern-day explorer and provides insights on how you might improve creativity in your life.
__
I have been applying a method to my life that centres on my philosophy.
It encourages self-awareness and aligning strengths and values.
It inspires you to explore your adventurous side by practising incremental growth in your life.
It has sharpened my resilience, regardless of uncertainty, which are vital in today’s rapidly changing world. I have started to solve problems with a systems view, which had a significant impact on my life.
As modern explorers, our journeys are linked to the human experience. Our choices, insights, and actions create a larger story. They shape our lives and the world around us.
My method helps you simplify life through a holistic approach based on three aspects. Let’s dive in.
My three areas of focus are:
1: Life Purpose
2: Unconventional Knowledge
3: Science and Exploration
These three main points help me reflect more deeply on the positive impact I want to make. It makes me inspired and energised.
1: Life Purpose
This focal area is about knowing your direction while staying open to new experiences. Let’s first think of three routes as a metaphor for the paths we choose in life.
The Wanderer route
Imagine leaving home without knowing where you want to go. There are no guidelines or boundaries to guide your decisions. Here, the goal needs to be narrower, and the path needs direction.
The Planner route
This is when you define your goal and the route to get there. If you fix everything beforehand, there is no room for new experiences and insights. However, this approach provides a sense of control and certainty, as the goal is narrow, and there is much focus.
The Adventurer route
Here, you know your goal and have a general direction, but leave room for new experiences and insights. You have an idea of what you would like your route to be but are open to new directions. This approach is like embarking on an adventure, ensuring you have a goal but keeping an open mind about the road you’ll take to get there. So, there is a goal with opportunities and a focus on balance.
I share my personal examples for each route in the chapter.
Now, which of these journeys would you choose for yourself?
Knowing where you want to go is often challenging. To understand what we truly want, we must be honest with ourselves.
2: Unconventional Knowledge
This focal area is about how embracing unconventional knowledge can change our lives.
Adam Alter, a marketing professor at New York University, wrote in his book Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked that 40 per cent of people today have some form of internet addiction.
Alter describes the “tech zombie epidemic”: people frequently check their phones and emails because these tools are as addictive as games. They explore a wide range of cognitive biases and emotions.
The digital realm and the algorithm represent the journey we take into the complexities of the digital age. The navigation is not straightforward, and one might encounter unexpected obstacles.
The digital revolution has reshaped our world and affected every part of our lives. This includes how we use the Internet, data systems, devices, and social media.
It also includes advances in biotechnology. Humans design tech products, and transnational corporations serve specific agendas.
The challenges seem overwhelming. There is no miraculous solution. The issues are systemic. Yet, we all have the opportunity to start somewhere.
You can, too. We can approach the fog from various perspectives.
Today, products and services often use gaming tactics. This leads to the development of addicting technologies.
Behind the dark patterns, we see a completely different picture. The fact that people spend long hours a day online, on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other digital devices, is not a concern. It’s intentional — the goal all along. Tech companies, social media platforms, and other entities benefit from prolonged user engagement.
Behaviours that push us offline or encourage us to keep certain things about ourselves private or limited are discouraged because they don’t fit the platform’s business plan.
For example, multiple engagement metrics, such as the average time spent on the application or service, translate into product satisfaction, persuading more people to buy and increasing customer loyalty.
What if we explore alternative perspectives, incorporating insights from indigenous communities?
To me, wisdom means adapting, innovating, and thinking beyond societal expectations.
I immersed myself in the remote Arctic when I joined the Fjällräven Classic event in Lapland. During the six-day Kebnekaise hike, which spanned 110 kilometres, I lived in a tent and learned valuable survival skills.
It was a trip to a secluded area that respected and honoured the local culture and environment. The way the local community tried to preserve its way of life amid mass tourism impressed me.
This experience completely changed my perspective on sustainability. I began to see it as more than a business strategy; it was now a key part of my role as a consumer, and designer. I started to think about the circular economy, and adopted a holistic approach to understand our impact on the planet. I used these insights to advocate for business models prioritizing environmental stewardship.
Understanding and empathising offline with different viewpoints is essential to stepping away from the digital bubble. It allows us to practice independent thinking. It makes us reflect on our first-hand multicultural experiences, observations, and ideas.
We can use them to uncover insights and generate innovative solutions by challenging biases. We can embrace the continuous pursuit of knowledge from diverse sources and keep an open and curious mind. We connect with people from different cultural backgrounds and gain a holistic understanding. We find unconventional ways to create.
Once you are back to the digital realm, you feel more focused on what information you need for you and how to use it on your strategies that positively impact the system level of your business and the context to which you are contributing. You are thoughtfully creating your life.
3: Science and Exploration
This focal area is about being open-minded and curious, seeking knowledge from reliable scientific sources. The findings gathered can be intentionally tested and iterated according to purposeful creation.
I am committed to the scientific method of inquiry. It is based on critical thinking and embracing the spirit of exploration. A combination of research and practice based on critical thinking, it helps me stay innovative and responsive to users.
You can find my personal examples detailed in my booklet.
My “lab” is a metaphor. It is a space to grow. I seek to refine my understanding and add to human knowledge, and I encourage you to do the same.
I leave you with a quote that aligns with what I describe in my booklet.
In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists. — Eric Hoffer
Combining the three areas can help solve challenges more effectively. Blending these elements with curiosity can inspire you to influence your outcomes with care and trust in the world. This approach makes you lead on a path that is intentional and adaptable.
I look forward to hearing about your experiences. I am always evolving, and I’d love your input. Drop me a line.
Have a cup of Sun!
_
If you enjoyed today’s read, share The Modern Day Explorer newsletter:
Alexandra Mateus | Substack with your friends and family.
I share insightful material on Creativity, Problem-Solving Skills, and Purposeful Travel.
There will be activities where we all can meet and feel energised to embrace our full potential as creative beings.
I also want to share that I have partnered with Grow’s inspiring community. You are more than welcome to get a membership discount through my page.
Feel free to join & stay healthy.
