OTT Issue #7 The Road Less Travelled Is Less Travelled for a Reason

Today we're going back to the origin of the the title of this newsletter. Specifically, what does it mean to go "off the trail"? And, maybe most importantly, why should we even bother with it in the first place?

I've got my own ideas about how to answer those questions. But for the richest definition, I rallied the experts. In other words, I asked the people who have made it their profession to go off the trail, and who now spend their time guiding others as they go.

Of course, I'm referring to our resident Sherpas, who are the best qualified to speak to this newsletter's most existential topic.?

According to them, going "off the trail" means:

• Going into uncharted territory?and challenging the way things have always been done.
• Thinking differently?and approaching things in fresh, new ways. That includes exploring uncharted approaches or ways of thinking and working that you’ve never tried before. It also means carving new paths toward your desired goals.
• Continually finding more interesting and better ways?to get from point A to point B. While the beaten path allows for certain efficiencies, it also runs the risk of not developing critical navigational skills. Without those skills, you can get stuck in ruts or follow the same old ways, even when the old ways aren't the right ways anymore.
• Challenging the status quo,?which includes thinking about whether there's a better approach, experimenting with something new, and ultimately not settling for "this is just the way we've always done it." Sometimes it might even involve a little dreaming about how things?could?be, instead of what they are today.
• Stepping out of your comfort zone?and out of the “shoulds” to create space for a new perspective or a new path. Just because something has always been done or approached in a certain way, that doesn’t mean that you?should?look at or do it that way.

That's all well and good. But if we're going to be taking the road less travelled by challenging the status quo and being uncomfortable, there better be meaningful impact on the other side.

So, why is it important that we go "off the trail" once in a while? What do we stand to gain?

The AgileSherpas say:

• Trying something different is the only way to make new discoveries.?The best progress is always made by those willing to challenge the status quo.
• It's critical to growth and creativity.?Going off the trail is the only way to gain visibility into life’s multitude of possibilities, and thus be in the driver’s seat to create the outcomes you want.
• It's how we continually push the bounds of what's known and thought to be possible.?When going off trail, you need to seek the guidance of others who have familiarity with the unbeaten path. Even experienced explorers like Lewis and Clark sought the expertise of Sacagawea.??
• So much changes all the time, and we need to be able to take advantage of these changes.?People may have changed, another process many have changed, or maybe we know more now that we did before. The reasons we originally did something may no longer exist, but unless we challenge that status quo thinking and go off the trail, we won't be able to take advantage of our new circumstances.?
• It forces you to experience discomfort and face challenges?that ultimately foster growth. One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite shows (Ted Lasso) says it best: "Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong."

The road less travelled is less travelled for a reason. It's marked by discomfort, challenge, and ambiguity. But I'm a doer, and I want to do know what to DO about all that.

So stay tuned for next week, when we'll take this insightful input from the AgileSherpas team to the next level and figure out what the practical next steps could (and should!) be.?

- Andrea