Episode 20 - Starting the Adventure

Welcome back to the Vision to Victory podcast! I'm Luke, and each week we explore practical ways to turn your dreams into reality. If you missed last week's episode, we talked about taking the road less traveled—anchoring your life in what matters most, having the courage to be different, and letting go of what no longer serves you.

This week, we’re picking up where we left off, diving deeper into the idea of adventure. Specifically, what it means to truly embrace the adventure of your own life.

Step One: Letting Go

To embrace adventure, we have to start by making room for it. That means letting go—of habits, thoughts, relationships, or even versions of ourselves that no longer align with who we want to be. Sometimes we hold onto things that create anxiety, depression, or a sense of being stuck. We tolerate things—people, routines, beliefs—that quietly drain our potential.

Letting go doesn’t mean ignoring the past. It means learning from it and choosing not to let it define us. Whether it's the opinions of others, internal doubts, old grudges, or outdated mindsets, releasing what holds us back is the first step toward growth.

Seeing Your Life as an Adventure

Once we begin to clear space in our lives, we can start seeing ourselves as adventurers. Think about what inspires you—movies, stories, moments when you felt alive and energized. That sense of excitement? It’s not out of reach. But it begins with something that might not sound very exciting at first: congruence.

The Power of Congruence

Congruence means your beliefs, values, and actions are in alignment. When they're not, we experience something called cognitive dissonance—a psychological discomfort caused by living in conflict with ourselves.

Here’s an example from my life: I don’t drink alcohol. I know it’s not good for me, and I believe avoiding it is the right choice. If I were to drink anyway, it would cause a disconnect. I’d feel uneasy, anxious, and less confident because my actions would be contradicting my beliefs.

This kind of dissonance shows up in small ways too—like promising to wake up early but hitting snooze five times. These seemingly small misalignments slowly erode our confidence and create stress.

Realignment Through Action

So how do we find congruence?

Start by looking at where you spend your time, energy, and money. Those three things reveal what you actually value—not just what you say you value. If the reality doesn’t match what you want your life to reflect, you can make a change. You can shift your focus and redirect your efforts toward what truly matters to you.

Let’s say you say you value family—but work dominates your schedule. You might justify it by saying you're working to support your family. And maybe that’s true. But does it really require 60 hours a week? Or is there space to be more present?

Being honest with yourself is key. When you line up your values with your actions, you’ll experience more peace, less anxiety, and greater confidence.

It’s Not Easy—And That’s the Point

Let me be clear: nothing worthwhile is easy. If you're out of shape, getting fit won’t be easy. If your life is out of alignment, realigning it won’t be easy either. But it will be worth it.

You don’t “try” to live a healthy or meaningful life—you train for it. That mindset shift changes everything. You're not just thinking about becoming the person you want to be—you’re living like it’s already happening. You’re not going back. You’re burning the boats.

Repetition Builds Identity

This kind of transformation takes daily reinforcement. Speak your identity into existence. Tell yourself: I’m a healthy person in training. I’m a focused, intentional parent. I’m building a life of purpose.

Even when you don’t feel it—especially when you don’t feel it—you have to remind yourself of who you are and who you’re becoming.

The Adventure Begins With You

True adventure doesn’t begin when you buy the plane ticket or launch the business. It starts when you stop pretending to be someone else. When you stop clinging to an outdated version of yourself. When you align your life with what matters most.

Get clear on your values. Get honest about your beliefs. And start doing the things that reflect those truths.

Your Challenge: One Change Today

Here’s your challenge: find one area in your life where you're out of alignment. One habit, one thought pattern, one behavior that doesn’t reflect who you want to be. Choose today to make a shift.

Because when your values and actions line up, you’ll experience less stress, more confidence, and a life that feels truly like yours.

And that’s when the adventure really begins.

Watch the full episode here