Curiosity is Fuel: A New Year’s Challenge

Welcome to 2025, my friends!

This quote has been bouncing around in my head lately: “Naiveté is the mother of adventure.” (Attributed to Rinker Buck, an American writer and adventurer. In his book Flight of Passage, he recounts his journey across America in a mule-drawn covered wagon. I have no idea where I heard it but I love it! 😀)

When I heard the words, I chuckled. But it resonated with me, and I can’t help but think of our own sailing journey. 

Sailing is an activity that demands a steep learning curve. The technical aspects, the weather patterns, the marine navigation—it’s a lot to take in. Initially, for us, it was all about understanding the physics.  How does this even work? We were like kids in a sandbox, playin’ around, gettin’ our hands dirty. But as we progressed and gained experience, we found ourselves more and more drawn into it. And it’s a strange addiction, really. The more we learned, the more we realized how much we still don’t know!

This lack of knowledge, paradoxically, has been our greatest strength. It has forced us to adopt a learner’s mindset. This mindset is characterized by curiosity, openness to new ideas, and a willingness to make mistakes. It’s the mindset of someone who sees challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles to be overcome.

See Sailing School Part I here.
See Sailing School Part II here.
See Sailing School Part III here.

There is great reward in the process of learning and improving. Every time we set sail, we’re presented with new challenges, from navigating tricky currents to mastering complex maneuvers. These challenges can be daunting, but they also offer us the chance to learn and grow. And if I’m being honest, at my age, learning and growing feels young. 

One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned in sailing is the importance of embracing failure. In sailing, as in life, mistakes are inevitable. We can learn from them and move on. With every mistake, we have an opportunity to identify the root cause, develop a solution, and improve our skills.

This learner’s mindset has not only helped us to become better sailors, but it has also positively impacted other areas of our lives. We’ve become more adaptable, more resilient, and more open to new experiences. We’ve learned to approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and excitement, rather than fear and anxiety.

Of course, it’s important to balance this learner’s mindset with a certain degree of caution and respect for the sea. Sailing can be dangerous, and it’s essential to be aware of the risks. However, it’s equally important to avoid becoming paralyzed by fear. By striking a balance between caution and courage, we can safely explore the vast expanse of the ocean.

Another rewarding aspect of sailing is the sense of community and camaraderie. The sailing community is filled with passionate and knowledgeable people who are always willing to share their expertise. By connecting with other sailors, we’re able to learn new skills, exchange tips and tricks, and build meaningful friendships.

As we continue our sailing journey, we remain committed to a learner’s mindset. We know that there is always more to learn, and we’re excited about the challenge and opportunities that lie ahead. Whether we’re navigating a narrow channel or dealing with an engine failure, we’ll approach each situation with wonder, curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a belief in our ability to overcome any obstacle.

Let Curiosity Guide You

One of my goals in writing this blog is to reach people like me, Gen Xers who are approaching a fork in the road. We were kids not so long ago, but we have grown older and in a short time, we’ll retire from our jobs. As I reflect back at the last four years, it would be easy to say that sailing has brought light to our lives. But I don’t think that quite hits the mark. Rather, learning to sail has brought light into our lives. And learning to sail can continue to bring light into our lives, right into retirement.

Perhaps sailing isn’t your thing. That’s okay. This year, I challenge you to embrace your inner child, adopt a learner’s mindset, and set out on your own adventure. Find that thing that sparks your curiosity and let it guide you, let it be the fuel that drives you to keep learning. No matter what it is, no matter how well you do it, you will be rewarded.

Cultivate a Learner’s Mindset: 

• Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how simple or obvious they may seem.
• Seek Feedback: Seek feedback from others, both positive and negative.
• Embrace Failure: Failures are opportunities to learn and grow.
• Practice Mindfulness: Be fully engaged in what you’re doing, be present.
• Continual Learning: Make lifelong learning a priority.

What adventures might be waiting for you just outside your comfort zone? What would happen if you allowed yourself to embrace a little bit of naiveté? What new possibilities might open up?

Thank you for reading! If you’re learning something new, leave me a comment! I’d love to hear about your experiences!