Dear Mr Walker

Show Notes

Dear Mr Walker

Pedalling away my front door was a big moment. But my most pivotal Doorstep Mile, the one where I truly summoned up the nerve to do what I really wanted to do, had come months earlier. The moment I committed to living adventurously happened sitting at a desk. 

It arrived amongst the rush and noise of Biology lessons and lunchtime duties at a secondary school near Oxford. I was a trainee teacher taking my first steps on an interesting, satisfying career ladder. A respectable job, money enough, shedloads of holidays and a nice pension. My mum would be happy.

So I was flattered when the Headmaster offered me a permanent position on the teaching staff. This was it! Acknowledgement that I was good at something. And a meal ticket, road map and safety net for the rest of my life. 

I thought hard about the offer for a couple of days, then sat down one evening to write my formal letter of reply.

'Dear Mr. Walker,

I would definitely enjoy working here on a permanent basis…

However, there is so much to see and do in the world…

If I was to settle into teaching now I am sure that I would enjoy it, but there would always be something gnawing at me…

Therefore I have decided that I am going to go ahead with my original plan to take 2 or 3 years cycling around the globe. I believe that my experiences on the road will only serve to improve my teaching skills when I do decide to return to teaching…

Deep down I know that [teaching is] probably the sensible option. However, even deeper down I know that if I have the chance to do something now and do not take it, I may always regret it.

Yours Sincerely…'

Well done, my young me. Well done and thank you!

OVER TO YOU:
Who do you need to write a letter like this to? Write it now. Dare you send it?

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What is The Doorstep Mile?

Would you like a more adventurous life?
Are you being held back by a lack of time or money? By fear, indecision, or a feeling of being selfish or an imposter?
Living adventurously is not about cycling around the world or rowing across an ocean.
Living adventurously is about the attitude you choose each day. It instils an enthusiasm to resurrect the boldness and curiosity that many of us lose as adults.
Whether at work or home, taking the first step to begin a new venture is daunting. If you dream of a big adventure, begin with a microadventure.
This is the Doorstep Mile, the hardest part of every journey.
The Doorstep Mile will reveal why you want to change direction, what’s stopping you, and how to build an adventurous spirit into your busy daily life.
Dream big, but start small.

Don’t yearn for the adventure of a lifetime. Begin a lifetime of living adventurously.
What would your future self advise you to do?
What would you do if you could not fail?
Is your to-do list urgent or important?
You will never simultaneously have enough time, money and mojo.
There are opportunities for adventure in your daily 5-to-9.
The hardest challenge is getting out the front door and beginning: the Doorstep Mile.

Alastair Humphreys, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, cycled around the world for four years but also schedules a monthly tree climb. He has crossed the Empty Quarter desert, rowed the Atlantic, walked a lap of the M25 and busked through Spain, despite being unable to play the violin.

‘The gospel of short, perspective-shifting bursts of travel closer to home.’ New York Times
‘A life-long adventurer.’ Financial Times
‘Upend your boring routine… it doesn't take much.’ Outside Magazine

Visit www.alastairhumphreys.com to listen to Alastair's podcast, sign up to his newsletter or read his other books.
@al_humphreys