The "Yes Way" Plankton Experiment

How often do you say "no" to spontaneous opportunities simply because they disrupt your routine, or because you feel a flicker of social anxiety?

If we want to build a life of growth, we have to look closely at our level of openness to new experiences.

In 2016, researchers Julia Zimmermann and Franz Josef Neyer published a fascinating study on the personality development of travelers. They tracked how travel affects the "Big Five" personality traits; specifically, they found that even short-term travel was associated with significant increases in openness and agreeableness, alongside a decrease in neuroticism. 

As travel writer Jonathan Look Jr. notes: "It is rare to meet a fearful traveler, and it is even more rare to meet a traveler that grows more fearful as they gain experience".

Travel forces us to say "yes" to the unexpected; a lesson I learned during a trip to Colombia in August 2015.

I arrived in Cartagena late at night with no set plans. The next morning, I saw a group of travelers in the hotel lobby waiting for a bus to Isla Barú, a pristine, white-sand beach. In a split second, I decided to pack my swimsuit, sunscreen, and towel, book the trip at the front desk, and jump onto the bus with them.

The day was so beautiful that I spontaneously decided to book a rustic cabin to spend the night. 

Then, my phone battery died.

Normally, a dead phone would cause panic; instead, it became a massive blessing. By disconnecting from the digital world, I was forced to connect with the offline world; practicing my Spanish with travelers from Chile, Spain, and Argentina.

At dinner, a local guide came to our table and asked: "Quieren subirse a una canoa y ver plancton?" (Do you want to get in a canoe and see the plankton?).

We rowed out into the dark, calm Caribbean waters. When I waved my hand in the water, the bioluminescent phytoplankton lit up like magical, glowing neon lights. We jumped into the ocean, swimming amidst a surreal galaxy of underwater stars; it was one of the most euphoric, awe-inspiring moments of my life.

None of that magic would have happened if I had stayed in my hotel room, stuck in my routine, or glued to my phone.

The "Yes Way" Challenge: 

Mindset is the hospitable environment; action is the actual evolution. You cannot experience the magic of life if you keep saying "no" to protect your comfort.

Your challenge this week: Say "Yes" to one spontaneous invitation, opportunity, or conversation, no matter how small or inconvenient it might seem at first. Step out of the planning room and step into the arena of life!