Josh Foer – The Explorer’s Code
The Explorer’s Code:
I wanted to wake each morning, not anxious about my day anymore. Not worried about what so-and-so would say, or where my career was going, or what was I going to write today.
My only job each day is to explore something new.
So I called up Josh and asked him how I could be an explorer. He told me.
– Have a Mission
Every day, whether it’s “be creative today.” Or “go some place you’ve never been” or “talk to ten random strangers”, make a mission.
Learn something new.
Missions are for people who DO. Mission statements are for people who DON’T.
– Uncomfortable Situation
Try to put yourself in as many uncomfortable situations as possible.
“For instance,” he said, “you should apply for a temp job. See what it’s like.”
Or maybe one day you and a friend can make a bet: who can get the furthest out of town with just $100.
The uncomfortable zone is where you find out who you are, the comfort zone is where you sleep.
Task: make a list of uncomfortable situations. Stretch the idea muscle.
– Partners/Team
Josh has 100s of people who submit items to Atlas Obscura and atlasobscura.com. “There’s over 10,000 weird and obscure places on there now.”
He also started it with two partners.
Even superheroes need a team. Superman still needed the Justice League. Luke Skywalker still needed Han Solo and Princess Leia. Luke Cage needs Iron Fist and Jessica Jones.
Who are on your team? Are they good people? Do you each have your super power?
I am constantly looking for my team of fellow explorers.
“Try to experience wonder every day,” Josh told me.
A few months ago, my mission was to throw out everything I owned.
What would it be like after 40 years of collecting things, to own absolutely nothing.
And a few months before that, my mission was to track down someone who had disappeared from my life.
I failed at that mission. But I experienced wonder along the way.
And today, I’m going to change my life forever. I will text you about it.
Click here to download the full interview with Josh Foer on iTunes
Related Reading: 8 Excuses Why My Excuses Are Awesome
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Simple Rational Philosopher
8 年"Missions are for people who DO. Mission statements are for people who DON’T." I LOVE that. A framed piece of paper on the wall doesn't make a good work environment, define a company culture or create happy workers any more than getting a degree makes someone smart. Having that mission and devoting all of your time and energy to accomplish it defines both the people at a company and the company itself.
Communications Consultant, Catalyst & Thought Lead
8 年Amerigo Vespucci, Chris Columbus, Einstein, Freud....Da Vinci...Jung, Cayce, Nikola Tesla....so many who made world of a difference impacting the collective consciousness. True zest for life
Incasso en Bijzonder beheer Koninklijke Nederlandse Toeristenbond ANWB
8 年So those were the headphones and sunglasses he wore during his practice. Makes me chuckle. I commited the scene where he is studying with the headphones and sunglasses finding his father standing behind him for god knows how long to my memory (book) palace. I loved the moonwalk. It made my brain sparkle and in the end resulted in myself practicing commiting all kinds of stuff and had my collegues test me. I'm now experimenting on my subconscious. The mind is like the universe. Forever expanding. I want to explore everything.
Technical Specialist at HCL Software
8 年Thanks James Altucher for another awesome post of yours. I really loved the phrase - "The uncomfortable zone is where you find out who you are, the comfort zone is where you sleep". True indeed.
Marketing Specialist @ Zoho | Maker & creator | ?? ?? Bringing business to life with video, words, & stories
8 年Check out John Stilgoes book 'Outside Lies Magic' I think you'd enjoy it. It's about exploration of history in everyday places. Enjoying the podcast, cheers James.