What is orienteering?

Orienteering is a sport that requires navigational skills using a topographical map with control points and a compass to navigate from point to point in nature or city landscapes while running, biking, and paddling, for example.

Here are a few cool facts:

It was founded in 19th-century Sweden.
It was initially used as a training exercise in land navigation for military officers.
The word orienteering is from orientering in Swedish, meaning orientation, and was first used in 1886 at the Swedish Military Academy Karlberg.

Now, let's dive into orienteering and how these lessons can teach you any life skill:

Get lost but not flustered

Be kind to yourself when you're frustrated.
Trust that you can improve if you're willing to do the work.
Be comfortable slowing down to get your bearings before continuing.

Accept the steep learning curve

Keep your ego from getting in the way of being a rookie.
Have clear answers for your next move, and never assume.
Be open about what you don't understand and ask for help often.

Use the terrain to confirm your intuition

Adapt to maximize the results of your actions.
Practice skills to improve reaction time and intuition.
Recheck your work but don't become a victim of analysis paralysis.

Know that a straight path is not always the best

Know that you can always find another way.
Your life is seldom a straight path from point A to B.
Deviating from the apparent path can make you doubt yourself.

What is the key to being a successful rookie?

With every action, figure out which steps you are stuck at.

And then make a plan to progress to the next level.

Being a Rookie at Orienteering Can Teach You How To Learn Any Life Skill

Orienteering doesn't take straight paths, neither does life

The all-in-one writing platform.

Write, publish everywhere, see what works, and become a better writer - all in one place.