Pivoting Through The Disruptions

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- The valuable lessons I learned in life didn't come from the four corners of my office space. Behind the work that I am blessed with is a quiet life of backpacking. From reaching Mayon’s crater down to the caverns of Siquijor, nothing can come close to the challenges outdoors. Reaching as far as the vineyards of South Australia and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I've brushed with fate many times, some going deep into the jungles of the Panay to find a rare plant and getting lost in the middle of New York’s winter and reaching Ground Zero. It was through these experiences that I learned a great deal about life.

The recent global disruptions have put everyone to the test. You may be a professional looking for a job, a company closing its doors, or a homemaker trying to make ends meet. Nothing has prepared us for this kind of change. As we manage our way through the uncertainties, allow me to share some insights about backpacking and how it helped me pivot through the challenges. Here are the six things that I learned:

Number 1: Be an Emergent Planner

There are two types of plans. The first type is called a Deliberate Plan. This is where we get our organizers and set our goals. We mark schedules and set appointments. This is the part where we envision and define the outcomes. We set clear steps and invest all of our resources to get there. The second type is what we call an Emergent Plan. This is where we formulate plan B’s and have contingent strategies to meet the changing landscape. From anticipating possible setbacks to overcoming unexpected changes, this is the part where we constantly formulate adjustments. I experience this kind of challenge during travels when ports close, weather changes, etc. I remind myself to always have a plan B ready even if things appear to go well. To successfully overcome changes, always have your contingencies ready. Be flexible as you go. Do not limit your choices. Expand your options and decide what’s best for a given situation.

Number 2. Step Out From the Old Ways

We have two tendencies when we are faced with unfamiliar situations. The most primal one is to take cover. We are instinctively pulled into self-preservation. It allows us time to think and calculate before taking any action. It gives us a sense of control over our lives. This is usually driven by fear. On the other hand, we also tend to explore and investigate. This is where we move forward and validate uncertainties with new information. We begin to learn and discover new facts and reconstruct our previous concepts. This is driven by feelings of inspiration when we try something new or novel. This gives us a sense of growth and direction. We begin to see the benefits over the risks. Backpacking helped me develop this attitude as I ventured more into unchartered territories and discovered places that I never would have seen. One thing to help us overcome major life changes is to venture into new territories with excitement and faith that better things are found. Countless opportunities can unfold but it is only possible when we decide to move forward.

Number 3: Immerse Yourself

We are equipped with two types of memories. One is semantic memory where we learn facts and details about certain things. This is when we store information about people, events, etc. We become educated about the world and its occupations. It helps us identify our place in the world. Another type of memory is what we call, episodic. This is built by way of experience. Craftsmen are valued for their years of hands-on experience. They earned it by getting into the action and subjecting themselves to grueling hours of labor. They troubleshoot problems and get better in time. This is where our problem-solving skills are being sharpened. We get to be street-smart in dealing with real-life situations. To succeed, I follow the “one-bag” rule. It suggests that the lighter the bag is, the more territory you can cover. Sometimes we learn these things the hard way when dealing with excess baggage at the airport. In backpacking, the best way to learn is to get into the experience. The quicker we immerse ourselves in the changes, the better we can master them. That is the key to being resilient.

Number 4: Stay Grounded

This is not the time to be overly zealous about our state of affairs. Two states of mind influence our plans and decisions. First is our tendency to hope for the best and second is our tendency to prepare for the worst. The former encourages us to keep going while the latter keeps us more grounded and realistic. Preparing for worst-case scenarios has proven to prepare us mentally and emotionally. Seek assistance when you need it. Do not let time pass by and not get the necessary help and resources you need. What I’ve learned in backpacking is to always ask the locals for guidance. They know the place better. Look for mentors. What matters is that you can outsource help when you need it. Arm yourself with the necessary means to stay afloat even in the most trying times.

Number Five: Grow as You Fail

We must know how to deal with failures. We have two tendencies when dealing with setbacks. The most common one is our temptation to quit and move on to less challenging situations. This appeal for convenience has haunted even the most promising talents. Failures are supposed to sharpen people, not dull them. By taking the road to convenience, the very talent that we are endowed with will lose its potential. Difficulties are life’s way of telling us that there’s more to discover about ourselves. Every failure is a doorway to a new chapter in our lives. So when dealing with setbacks, bring with you a steady growth mindset. That is our willingness to learn from mistakes. Backpacking has prepared me on how to handle failures. Those missed trips taught me many valuable lessons. So bring that growth mindset wherever you are and keep evolving. There's no growth without experiencing failures.

Number Six: Share Your Light

Each of us is endowed with certain capabilities and it is the best time that we share them. By being generous with our gifts, we can build a stronger community. If you are a musician, create songs to inspire. If you're a pastor, give spiritual guidance. If you are an entrepreneur, share your skills. If you're a teacher, reach out to your students. If you’re an artist, create a moving masterpiece. The global disruption has challenged us to go beyond our perceived capacities. The best experience I had with backpacking is when I visit communities, see their homes, try out their dishes, and just experience their life first-hand. Those experiences I carry each time I do my work. There's more to appreciate in people than just the places we visit. So when given the opportunity, always share your talents with the world and make a difference. Remember, we are inside one boat and we are all in it together.