The pros and cons of the ‘Explorer Gene’

Do you have the explorer gene? And if you do, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

You’ll know you do have the explorer gene if you frequently experience wanderlust. Scientists believe that a variant of a gene called DRD4, which helps to control dopamine (a chemical brain messenger important in learning and reward) is linked to curiosity and restlessness.

The mutation, known as DRD4-7R, pops up in around 20% of people in the world and makes those people more likely to take risks, explore new places, try new foods, accept new ideas, and generally be more amenable to change… and adventure.

Enough of the science?

I first heard about the explorer gene from Levison Wood who is, of course, an explorer. Check out his books and documentaries if you haven’t heard of him, they’re pretty inspiring. (And he’s easy on the eyes too ;))

I went to see a talk Levison was giving in a theatre near my home and he opened by speaking about the explorer gene. I instantly felt at home. Things suddenly made sense. I definitely have the gene – no question. And, in that, I am part of a minority.

So many people in my life have simply not understood my need (yeah, it’s a need not a want) to travel, to jump out of planes, to surf bigger waves, and (to me) to live!

And I won’t lie to you – sometimes it has mattered. Sometimes it has really mattered. And sometimes I’ve questioned whether it is worth it.

The cons of the explorer gene

80% of employers just won’t get it

This is my absolute biggest bugbear and one I have come up against time and time again. Despite having reached Manager level, responsible for a high-achieving team of five, I still get employers poking me about the ‘gaps’ in my CV.

When I heard Levison Wood explain about the explorer gene, I was looking for work following being made redundant (laid off). Being made redundant has been the hardest thing I have been through and, of course, I dealt with it by spending a few months in Asia.

One employer had actually told me they wouldn’t consider my application for a permanent role because I had been travelling a few times – despite the fact that I have also had a successful 13-year marketing career.

Suddenly it made sense – 80% of hiring managers were never going to understand. That can make things a little tough.

80% of people will tell you not to do it

How many times have people told me not to do what I want? I’ve lost count!

The first time I went travelling – to Australia, back in 2009 – I had just handed in my notice at work and booked my flight. I was massively excited and felt brave for taking the leap.

Then one guy I worked with said ‘I don’t think you should do that.’.  He told me that my parents shouldn’t let me go (despite the fact I was 23 at the time) and that I’d get mugged, or worse, and it wasn’t safe.

I went home with a twist in my gut. Having spent months building up the courage to go, it was gone in a second.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Almost everywhere I’ve been, someone has told me I would hate it. All of the ‘extreme’ sports I’ve tried, someone has told me I would get hurt.

If you want to do something that is in any way out of the ordinary, 80% of people will think you’re mad. And a good percentage of those will tell you so.

But luckily, as you have the explorer gene, you will be able to feel the fear they give you and do it anyway!

You will probably lead a life of more extreme ups and downs

I’ve realised recently that my life is… a little turbulent.

I have periods of everything being super amazing – living in Australia for a year, working an awesome job in the UK and spending 5 weeks a year (for 4 years) surfing in Costa Rica/Bali/Sri Lanka, travelling Asia for 3 months and learning about new cultures.

And then… sometimes it all falls apart. I break up with my kiwi boyfriend because we can’t live on the same continent. I lose a job and struggle to get another because my CV is too ‘gappy’.

The good is AMAZING and the bad is a mess of four-letter words.

The pros of the explorer gene

You will do awesome stuff!

This is the top pro and, frankly, I might as well stop here because it is totally enough to counteract the cons! If you have the explorer gene, you will do awesome stuff.

You will find the courage to push outside of your comfort zone. You’ll see the world. You’ll realise that the way people live in your home town is not the only way people live. That there isn’t a ‘right’ way to live.

You will find the nerve to do slightly crazy things, like jumping out of a plane, or cycling around the world, or walking the length of the Nile. And those kind of memories will stay with you forever.

And you’ll learn. About the world, about other people, and about yourself.

(By the way: The Novice Explorer, who is currently cycling around the world, is my cousin. See? Genetics…)

You will find your own way

Despite 80% of the world thinking you are wrong, you will find the courage to do what you want to do. And you will make it work.

The explorer gene makes you a risk-taker. Some risks pay off and others don’t. But no-one ever achieved anything amazing without taking some kind of calculated risk.

That same thing that makes you likely to quit a job to travel the world, makes you likely to take calculated risks in your career. I’ve got much further with my slightly maverick ideas than I ever would have by following the crowd.

Would you rather be part of the 20% that think outside of the box, or blindly follow what people expect of you?

80% of people will be secretly jealous of you

Ok, so we don’t live our lives to make other people jealous… but, if we’re honest, it kinda feels just a little bit good when it happens.

Whether you’re sending your friends a selfie from the Taj Mahal, skyping your family from a beach in Fiji, sharing your skydive video on YouTube, or just silently taking the high road when an employer tells you the ‘gap’ in your CV has put them off.

Deep down you know that – really – you are winning at life.

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