Off the Beaten Track

This article is not just for women. Follow along to see the full picture I'm painting.

If you're familiar with natural trails, you've likely noticed alternate paths to the same destination. Sometimes they are shorter, other times longer but easier, and occasionally, much more difficult. During my treks, I often come across these alternate paths, sparking my curiosity about human psychology—the constant need to explore, the quest to forge our own paths, and the tendency to choose the difficult ones. I wonder if it's to challenge ourselves.

Last week, while on a solo Triund trek, Mcleodganj in Dharamshala, these thoughts filled my mind. I realized that choosing difficult paths brings me joy and confidence whenever I conquer those small challenges.

This introspection led to some corporate gyan. Naturally, this article came to life in my mind while on the trail. The tendency of human curiosity to forge new paths aligns with what organizations seek today: an entrepreneurial mindset. Being curious to identify and seize opportunities, overcoming setbacks, and succeeding in various settings. Developing five key characteristics—curiosity, resilience, flexibility, risk-taking, and vision—is innate to humans and has driven our evolution into smart beings compared to our four-legged primate siblings.

Now, back to the beginning. When I mentioned my solo trip, the comments started at home, particularly from my mother. She worried it would send the wrong message, implying things were not right with my partner. This piqued my curiosity, so I decided to share my solo trip plans with everyone—close ones and strangers alike—and observe their reactions. Some were genuinely inspired, encouraging the women in their lives to explore solo trips. Others worried about my safety, found it interesting, or frowned upon it. Surprisingly, those in tourism found it odd that a grown-up Indian woman would choose a solo trip, leaving her husband and kids, even though they see foreign women traveling solo every day. Imagine me rolling my eyes at the irony.

Cutting short, I had an amazing time and experienced profoundly humane moments. When I fell ill during my trek, the entire team of guides came together, going out of their way to make me comfortable. This deeply gratified my inner curiosity and yearning to explore novel experiences. I realized that not just women, but even many successful men lack the courage to travel alone. This ties back to having an entrepreneurial mindset—not just at work, but in life. Explore new paths. It’s a beautiful world out there; humanity is still intact in the best possible forms, calling out to you if you're open to stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring what the world has to offer. Of course, with proper precautions. Remember, forge new paths and chart new territories with risk-taking and resilience. To succeed in various settings, you must use the right resources and remain vigilant.