The Doorstep Mile

The problem is not that adventures are too big or too hard. It is not that you are too busy or broke. The problem is that we forget that beginning requires just a single step. Once you do that you are on your way and all the world now lies before you. In the next part of the book, we raise our eyes from these first steps to the distant horizon.

Show Notes

The Doorstep Mile revisited

The Doorstep Mile is so critical that I’m going to end this part with a plea for you not to skim over taking action on it.
I firmly believe that the Doorstep Mile is the secret to making something more adventurous happen in your life. It might be buying a plane ticket, buying a map or buying a friend a coffee to chat about an idea. In my case, it often seems to be as mundane as sending an email.
Simple, right?
Do you agree?
Do you now feel that getting started on your plan is easy (or at least feasible)?
If not, then you are still thinking too big. Your first step is too large or complicated or emotional, and so it is intimidating. Try deconstructing into an even smaller series of tasks. 
For example: 
  1. Get on your bike this minute and cycle around the planet: Agh! Too scary.
  2. OK. You can leave later. But spend £1000 this minute on a new bike and camping gear: Agh! Too scary. 
  3. Text your mate, ‘I’ve had a daft idea. I reckon you might enjoy it. Beer on Friday?’: Done. You’re on your way…
The problem is not that adventures are too big or too hard. It is not that you are too busy or broke. The problem is that we forget that beginning requires just a single step. Once you do that you are on your way and all the world now lies before you. In the next part of the book, we raise our eyes from these first steps to the distant horizon. 

Over to You:
  • What is your Doorstep Mile action?
  • When will you have done it by?
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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