Expedition Blueprint: Crafting Your Path to Adventure Success
Defining Your Adventure's Purpose: The Crucial "Why"
What do you really want to achieve and why??
In the Expedition Blueprint Workshop we will define what a successful expedition looks like for you. We will make sure that the whole team shares that vision and establish exactly what everyone is prepared to do (and not do) to achieve mission success.
Beyond Surface-Level Motivations
An easy answer to the question "Why on earth are you going to [insert crazy challenge here]?" is to say something along the lines of "because it's there" or "It’s for charity". These are indeed noble reasons but in most cases, they are not the real reasons.
To say you are rowing across an ocean for charity might feel like the right thing to say. It might appeal to sponsors or garner media coverage but unless you have a particular connection to that charity, it's likely not the only reason, or leading one, for undertaking some gruelling challenge that will test your mental and physical limits.
Yes, doing such an adventure is definitely a great way to raise charitable funds or awareness. But unless it is really the sole driver for you, it's really important to establish your ‘why’. When things get hard (really hard) on the trail, it can prove vital to be able to reach back and remember your ‘why’ to find the extra bit of drive and determination to keep going.
Uncovering Your True Expedition Motivation
Are you trying to win a race, set a world record, hoping to inspire your children with what is possible, or do you just want a cool story to be able to tell? All are perfectly legitimate reasons for putting yourself through the wringer, but it's important for you, and everyone else on your team, to understand exactly what is driving you.
During the Expedition Blueprint Workshop, we will deep dive into your ‘why’, define it, and help you to arm yourself with it when things get tough.
Defining Your Victory: What Does Success Look Like?
Following on from this, we will establish what success looks like to you. Again, there is no real right or wrong answer here really. We just want to avoid the headline sound bite you think people want to hear and establish exactly what it is your want to achieve.
To dedicate as much time, money, energy and emotion to a life-changing expedition or adventure only to finish feeling disappointed or incomplete is to sell yourself short. I have seen time and again - people successfully row an entire ocean, finishing safely and in good time, only to feel disappointed they failed to hit some target they had in mind, be it a world record timing, a wish to swim with whales or dolphins, or even some fundraising target and they just successfully ROWED AN OCEAN, something seemingly impossible to 99% of the population!
Crafting Your Expedition Roadmap
Once we have defined exactly what it is you want to achieve, we can reflect on it. Is it even possible? Does everyone share the same goal, or does there need to be some compromise across the team so everyone gets at least a part of their dream fulfilled? Is there a way to make everyone happy?
Next, we will discuss the steps that need to be taken to reach that goal, reverse engineering a map from the dream back to the present day. What do you need to achieve by when? How much are you prepared to give to get there?
It is essential to set this baseline for effort and engagement from everyone early. Small disagreements in the preparation phase, little niggles in the back of your mind, such as, you're doing more, or someone else is doing less, will become a massive drama when you're in harm's way, tired, hungry, possibly scared and the dream starts to feel like it’s slipping away.
Adventure Contingency Planning: Preparing for the Unexpected
No plan survives first contact.
You also need a plan B, and C… and maybe D. If the world record (or whatever it might be for you) becomes unachievable but you're still in the game, safe and able to complete the expedition or adventure in question, what is the next best outcome? At what point do you defer from plan A to plan B and so on?
If half the crew are happy to kick back and cruise, happy to get completion, but the other half assumed everyone would just give 100% all the way to the end regardless, it can lead to a serious team crisis or leadership nightmare on the trail, mountain, ocean or ice!!
Incorporating Human Factors in Adventure Planning
Throughout our conversation, we will consider some of the tenets of Human Factors. This is a system used by the RAF and everyone employed in the UK military air domain, established after the Haddon Cave review following the devastating loss of XV230.
A similar toolbox is used in commercial airlines to combat the ‘cockpit gradient’, the rail industry and operating theatres. We will discuss the importance of:
good communication
teamwork
leadership
situational awareness and decision-making
the effects of fatigue and stress on all of the above.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and to be able to recognise a potentially destructive behaviour or set of circumstances can help to avoid an incident, emergency situation or catastrophe which are most often a result of a human action or decision.
Victory Adventures Blueprint: Think Slow, Act Fast
Think slow, act fast and plan for success.
The more time (and effort) you spend on planning, looking under every possible stone, the more likely you are to succeed when it comes time for action. Having clearly defined goals and minimum acceptable standards will help you immeasurably. We will identify some of the potential causes of failure or incident to help avoid or prevent them.
SUMMARY
The Expedition Blueprint Workshop is more than just a planning session; it's a comprehensive journey into the heart of your adventure aspirations. By delving deep into your motivations, clearly defining success, and preparing for the unexpected, you're not just planning an expedition, you're crafting a transformative experience.
This process equips you with the mental resilience, team cohesion, and strategic foresight needed to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
REMEMBER, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EXPEDITIONS ARE BORN LONG BEFORE THE FIRST STEP IS TAKEN!
They're cultivated in these crucial planning stages, where dreams are shaped into actionable goals, and teams are united under a common vision. The Expedition Blueprint is your roadmap to not just completing your adventure, but to achieving the profound personal growth and satisfaction that comes from pushing your limits and achieving something extraordinary.
Plan for Adventure Success with Victory Adventures
Are you ready to turn your expedition dreams into reality? Don't let another day pass without taking that crucial first step. Here's how you can get started:
Book Your Expedition Blueprint Workshop: Contact Victory Adventures today to schedule your personalised workshop. Whether you're planning a solo trek or leading a team, we'll tailor the experience to your specific needs.
Prepare Your Ideas: Start brainstorming your adventure goals, no matter how big or small. We'll help refine and shape them during the workshop.
Gather Your Team: If you're planning a group expedition, involve your team members from the start. The Expedition Blueprint Workshop is most effective when all voices are heard.
Follow Us for Inspiration: Connect with Victory Adventures on social media for regular doses of expedition inspiration and planning tips.
Take the Leap: Remember, every great adventure starts with a single step. Book your Expedition Blueprint Workshop now and set your adventure in motion.
“Fraser is the secret sauce when is comes to planning, preparing and participating in a successful adventure. I would unreservedly recommend Victory Adventures to any aspiring adventurer”
Phil Holdcroft
Founder of The High Performance Journey, Endurance Athlete, and former RAF Wing Commander
★★★★★
Don't let your adventure remain just a dream. With Victory Adventures and the Expedition Blueprint, you have the tools and support to make it a reality. Contact us today, and let's start crafting your path to expedition success.
