As often happens, I learn the most amazing things from my clients. This week one of my clients and I stumbled into a fertile discussion about what it means to be a “hunter” in your life versus being an “explorer” of your life. As we approach the last days of 2006 and begin to set intentions for how we want to experience our lives in 2007, this seems a timely thought to share.

The roles of “hunter” and “explorer” are both valuable and are, in fact, mutually supportive. Exploring yields valuable information about the landscape while hunting uses that information to leverage a more expedient and successful outcome. Hunting is a tactical endeavor where a clearly defined plan is intended to support a specific outcome. It is task-focused with “success” defined by the accomplishment of that outcome.

Exploring, on the other hand, is an endeavor of curiosity where the “beginner’s mind” is an asset and the journey is more important than the destination. It is possibility-focused with “success” defined by uncovering something new.

Think about this past year. What “hunts” have you participated in? Where have you executed on a clearly defined plan? How did you fare? Is it time to take a step back and get a broader view of the landscape? What exists within you and before you that you haven’t seen because you have been operating with the focus and precision of a hunter’s mind?

As the glimmer of a new year begins to glow in the back of your mind, try donning your “explorer’s” cap. View the possibility of the upcoming year with the curiosity and excitement of an adventurer embarking on new terrain. What is within you and before you that is beckoning to be uncovered?

Could your “explorer” use some coaxing? Three of my favorite picks are: