Slingshot Weekly (8/13/25) | The Power of Exploration

When was the last time you truly let yourself wander? 

Not just physically, but mentally, letting your thoughts meander without a clear destination? When did you last say “yes” to something outside of your usual orbit, simply for the sake of seeing where it might take you?

We live in a world built for efficiency. Our calendars are filled, our commutes are timed, and our habits, whether comforting or constraining, give our days predictable shape. There is security in knowing what comes next. But there is also a risk: routine can slowly shift from stability into stagnation. The antidote? Exploration.

Exploration is not always about booking a one-way ticket to another country or hiking an uncharted trail. It can be as small as trying a different coffee shop, taking a new route home, or striking up a conversation with someone you might not normally approach. It is in these moments that we collect new data points about ourselves, our interests, strengths, and curiosities. Author and researcher Brené Brown often talks about “the power of story.” Every time you break from routine, you add a new chapter to yours. That time you joined a community class just to see what it was like. That conversation with a stranger that gave you a career lead. That detour that led to your favorite hidden lunch spot.

Think of famous “explorers” not just as adventurers with maps and compasses, but as people who dared to ask: What if? Steve Jobs wandered through a calligraphy class in college, which later influenced the clean, elegant fonts on every Apple device. Vera Wang explored figure skating and journalism before becoming a world-renowned fashion designer. Her detours shaped her design sensibilities.

Exploration does not have to be about finding “the one right thing.” In fact, it rarely is. More often, it is about finding many things: skills, perspectives, and connections that collectively guide your next move. Every time you say “yes” to something you would normally decline, you open a door. Every time you step outside your pattern, you create space for inspiration to surprise you. And every time you explore, you find a part of yourself you did not know existed.

You do not need a perfect plan to start. You just need to start. Try something small. Notice what you feel. Decide if you want more of it or less. Then do it again.

Exploration is less about finding the quickest path and more about collecting the richest journey. The scenic route may take longer, but it is often where the best stories are written.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one small, low-pressure way you could step outside your routine this week?

2. When was the last time an unplanned decision led to something positive in your life?

3. If you could try anything without fear of failure, what would you explore first?