Spontaneity. Most people live a life of habit and routine. But the by-product of routine is a comfort zone. The human brain conspires to keep you safe and sound in that comfort zone. But are you happy there? How do you bring more spontaneity into your life? How do you say “yes” more often? David shares how you can embrace the spontaneous life he lives in this episode of My Extra Mile.

  In this episode, you will hear: 

• How to be more spontaneous
• Why our brains conspire against us
• Learn to live in the unknown
• How David embraces spontaneity

  Learn to live in the unknown

Think about the times you did something unexpectedly. Maybe it was unplanned or last-minute—but you had the best time. David believes you’ll have hundreds of examples in your life where the unexpected became a beautiful memory. But our brains run contrary to spontaneity. Why? Because the brain is afraid of the unknown. 

 

David believes there are three zones that we are caught between, the comfort zone, the uncomfortable zone, and the unknown zone. David attempts to live his life in the unknown zone. He believes it all comes down to self-trust. To flow in the unknown means, you have to trust yourself to handle and navigate what will unfold.

David’s spontaneous adventures

 

When David travels, he aims to get lost entirely. He goes with the flow and ends up taking wild adventures. But it’s rare for someone to live their lives and exist and flourish in the unknown zone. So how does David do it? David built the muscle from 10 years of backpacking around the world. He didn’t know where he was going or what he would do. He didn’t know what the food was like or what the language would be. 

 

When David was in Europe last year, he ended up in Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, and even Budapest, Hungary. They were driving and saw a sign for Vienna. So they took the exit and decided to take a horse carriage ride through Vienna. It was beautiful. They had no idea where they’d end up that night. 

 

People book vacations for all-inclusive resorts. They go to places that remind them of home. David emphasizes that you need to fight that urge. Because the magic happens when you lose control, David understands that fear comes up in the unknown. But when you develop the ability to navigate the unknown, it does become fun. Something unplanned and spontaneous can feel even better than the planned. 

  Bring more spontaneity into your life.

Spontaneity has sculpted David’s life. He lives in a level of self-trust where the unknown zone is the exciting part of his journey. You absorb, taste, smell, and hear differently. David believes you’ll find the connection to the experience becomes richer. You vibrate at a higher level. 

 

How can you bring more spontaneity into your life? You have to drown out the voice in your head. Overcome the “logic” in your brain. Say yes to what you wouldn’t usually say yes too. When you feel nervous or out of control, stay in it. See what shows up. David flips a coin at every crossroads and lets it take him where it does.

 

When you do the same thing year after year, it feels as if time passes faster. You’re repeating similar things over and over. Imagine if you could make a day feel like two days, a week feel like two weeks, or a month feel like two months. 

 

Flip a coin and get lost in your city. Discover places you haven’t walked. Do something impractical that makes no logical sense. Make choices that are more spontaneous and vibrant. Break up the monotony and do something outside of your comfort zone.

 

Why not try it, embrace it, and go after it? 

Connect with David T. S. Wood

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