The 3 U's of Travel
By Dr. Michael Bennett, co-Founder of Explorer X
At Explorer X, we believe that travel is one of the most important yet fun ways to shift perspectives of self and others, feel inspired to take new action in your life, and make a deeper impact in the world. We also know from experience that the only reliable source of action in our lives is how we see ourselves and how we see the world. What is a more thrilling way to shift your perspectives of self and others than through travel?
Throughout our individual and collective Journeys, we have identified what we refer to as ‘The 3 U’s’ of Travel – the Ultimate Game, the Universal Process, and your Unique Practice – that guide each of us on our quest for learning, growth, and making a deeper impact. Here are those 3 U’s.
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The Ultimate Game
The ultimate game that we're all playing is to be the best possible version of ourselves. (No one wants to be a sub-optimal version of themselves, right?) On your quest to be the best possible version of yourself, what would your score be? Are you running about with your arms stretched out, celebrating, reveling … or are you sitting, arms crossed on the platform, impatiently waiting for your turn?
Who we’re being is not always who we are capable of being. Sometimes it’s too easy to wallow in our frustration, anxiety, anger, and all the unwanted emotions that we deal with on a daily basis. But the ultimate game is in closing the gap – bit by bit, day by day, month by month – to get to where we want to be.
And so, the universal process – your Hero’s Journey – begins.
The Universal Process
If we want to do that – if we truly want to become the best possible version of ourselves – then we must all go through a universally time-tested process of learning and growth. No longer a spectator cursing the world, something is calling you off the platform and on for the ride. Maybe it’s the promise of adventure, or maybe it’s an unquenchable thirst to learn something new. Taking one vulnerable step toward the end destination, and then another, your curiosity guides you toward new cultures and deeper connections.
And maybe there’s some stumbling at first. After all, this isn’t as easy breezy as sliding down a twisty water slide and sipping mai tais all day long. This is venturing into uncharted territory while attempting new actions and trying on new ways of being. But with each opportunity to engage deeper, comes strength and resilience.
Your Unique Practice
Of course, what that process looks like for each one of us (our practice) is different and unique and beautiful in that way. As you progress, your unique practice reveals itself. Your intuitive hunches lead you in one direction and then another, never the exact same as those around you. Sometimes you arm yourself with knowledge and tools, other times you go in with a totally open mind and zero preconceived notions.
There are going to be times when you kick yourself for not being more prepared. You’re not going to take every action that you said you would. There are going to be moments where you have your mental freakouts and breakdowns, and you’ll feel like you’re backsliding. But that’s part of the practice of learning. A little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more, closing the gap just a little at a time.
3 U’s: Summary
We're all trying to be the best possible version of ourselves and if we want to do that, we all go through a universal process of learning and growth. But what that looks like for each one of us is different and unique.
As Joseph Campbell once said:
The labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero path. And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god. And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves. And where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence.
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5 Mindful Travel Practices
While all of us have a unique practice, we have found that there are five mindful practices that are supportive for many on this universal process. These tried-and-true practices will help you minimize the distance to your best possible self and set yourself up for success in the ultimate game!
1 | Be intentional about the journey ahead.
What do you want to have or feel at the end of this that you don't necessarily have or feel now?
MB: While not every traveler has an intense intention tied to their trip, we once had two solo travelers who came to us at the same time, both going through bad breakups. They had both gotten so lost in their relationship and were feeling disempowered. They were both looking to reconnect with themselves, and their intention was to feel a sense of inspiration, courage, and confidence again. They established this up front, and we talked about this and how they could do that. And every action they took during their travels was guided by this intention to tune into their self-worth and self-esteem. It was incredibly powerful.
2 | Prepare for both the inner & outer journeys ahead.
It's not just learning about your destination, reading books, and watching documentaries. It's also doing that personal deep dive and connecting with your why.
MB: We had a couple traveling back from a Destination Unknown trip in Chile, and due to a medical emergency on the plane, they missed their connecting flight on the way home from Miami. And it was over the holidays so of course it was crazy, the next flight was two days later. Instead of being upset and pissed off, they totally embraced it and viewed it as two bonus days of travel. And part of this had to do with their newly adopted trip mantra, which was: just let it flow.
3 | Travel like a HERO … be Humble. Engaged. Resilient. Open-Minded.
When you’re a guest in another country, this mindful practice will come in handy time and time again.
MB: My favorite thing to do when I travel is to get up early. I like to get up at 630, throw on my shoes, and just start walking around town. That’s my way to kind of just have the world to myself for a little bit. One morning in Aix-En-Provence, it was early and I passed this little hole in the wall restaurant. The owner was outside hosing down the sidewalk, and we just started talking. He was a super fascinating guy. Bald head, big goatee, glasses on, tattoos on his forearm… just looks like a chef. Later that afternoon we end up back there as part of our tour. What are the chances? This isn’t your typical place – we were served pig’s head pie, with the brains and all. And this was my opportunity to humbly engage. Because we don’t eat pig’s head here, and it’s not really my thing. But I stayed open to it.
4 | Find mindful moments every day while you are traveling.
Everyone has their own way to do this: meditation, prayer, journaling, conversation, just spending time in nature, appreciating the beauty of what’s around you.
MB: When one couple returned from Switzerland saying that the best part of their trip was the mindful questions we prepared for them, we knew we were on to something. They were traveling for their 10-year anniversary, and they sat down over a meal every day and created time and space to reconnect with each other. The questions enabled them to have a conversation around what they were learning on the trip, but also share more about what they've been learning about each other in life.
5 | Take action and commit to taking simple, powerful actions in your life.
Identify one or two small, simple things that you can do that have the highest leverage, that have the highest potential impact on your life and in the lives of others.
MB: Remember the two solo travelers that both set similar intentions to find their power again? When they returned home, they both took bold action. One of them asked for a raise & promotion and got it. The other finally signed her divorce papers she had been waiting on for three years. Both of them were feeling good enough to move on.
You want to make an impact in the world, right? Are we going to cure cancer? No. Are we going to solve the water crisis in India? No. Are you going to shave your head, move into Nepal, become a Buddhist monk and start a nonprofit? No. But you might start a meditation practice, and that might have a real ripple effect in your life, in the lives of those around you.
Final Thoughts
What will your unique practice look like through this universal process in the ultimate game of life? There’s only one way to find out. Step off the platform … Your Explorer X adventure is waiting!