Winnow

For the past few years, part of my resolution-making process has been to pick a theme of the year. In 2023, it was “This Year, No Fear” to help remind me that I needed to stop avoiding unpleasant things so I could get past them. In 2024, I continued that sentiment with “New Year, New Gear” to emphasize that I wanted to level up in several areas.

For 2025, I felt the next step for me is to get very clear about my goals and cut out anything extraneous. However, I had a tough time capturing that idea in the same verbal format I’d used the past two years. I wanted my theme to be succinct, but also to pop. I mentioned this to a friend, and she laughed that I was trying to get elaborate with a them about simplifying. Her advice was to go with one word, like “Focus” or “Streamline.” Eventually, I sought inspiration in a thesaurus and the perfect word fairly leapt out at me: Winnow.

The aforementioned friend didn’t even know the word winnow, so I explained that it’s process used to separate wheat from chaff. When wheat is harvested, the kernels are encased in an inedible hull that needs to be removed. The efficient way to do it was to sift or shake the wheat so the wind or a fan could blow air across the stream. The wheat would fall into a basket below, and the lighter chaff would blow away. The metaphor is used in the Bible, so it may sound familiar. The concept is separating that which is valuable from that which is not.

As a theme for this year, I loved it because it was an elegantly simple way to express my intention. But then I noticed as I was writing it that the word itself can be separated into two: Win and Now. It was a further admonition to “Win” by working exclusively on tasks that bring me closer to my goals. It also commanded me to act with urgency “Now” because procrastination is the thief of success. Taken together, Win and Now is a reminder that I don’t have to wait for my end goal to be accomplished before I can celebrate. I can win every day, every minute, by becoming ruthlessly focused on my most important goals.

One of those most important goals is to grow Adventure-Us into the premiere social and travel club in the United States. My mission is to help people find true friendship and connection, and to facilitate experiences that enrich lives. I choose to Win Now by scheduling events, inviting people to participate, and creating a culture that supports natural, authentic interactions.

If your New Year’s Resolutions include being more active, making more memories, checking items off your bucket list, and/or making new friends, joining Adventure-Us is a great place to start!

Founder

This word is strange to me. The “-er” suffix means “one who,” but I am definitely NOT one who "found” Adventure-Us. I am one who is creating something new. It didn’t exist before I decided to bring it into being. In this case, the definition of “a person who manufactures articles of cast metal” is much more relevant. Iron casting involves filling molds with molten metal. As the founder, I set the shape of my community. When members pour in, they settle into one solid unit that has been designed for a purpose.

My purpose is very clear, and when I describe it in conversation, people react positively. The idea of a group of friends who frequently hang out in person and vacation together has massive, widespread appeal. When I mention the psychology of having members pay dues to make them more emotionally invested, no one balks. Still, in the few weeks since Adventure-Us has launched, the community has grown by only a modest amount. We are still short of that magic number that triggers a network effect.

I can’t help thinking of that other definition of founder—to take on water and sink, or break down due to a setback. Like every other creator, I have to maintain faith in my vision and keep pushing through doubt. Modest success is still success, and it is all cumulative.

In fact, I nerded out a tiny bit and did the math. At 20 members, there are 190 unique connections within the network. At 30 (an increase of 50%), the number of unique connections more than doubles to 435. Intuitively, it makes sense. The 50th person can create a connection to 49 other individuals. The 100th person can connect to 99. The numbers can become staggering, but those early adopters like #8 and #17 are the foundation of those later connections.

Perhaps that is the best definition of founder: one who organizes a foundation upon which great things are built. The events and plans we make today are the groundwork for unforgettable experiences and lifelong friendships down the road. If you are also a builder—a founder at heart—join us in creating a truly great community!

T-Minus 4

It’s 1:14 am four (now three) days before the “soft launch” of Adventure-Us. We’re not ready. There are still things missing—items which still might not be done by Friday—but we’re launching anyway. Done is better than perfect, and I’m not willing to wait any longer.

I have a deep conviction that Adventure-Us is exactly the right model for integrating technology with real-world connection. The goal is to build a true community where individuals can develop acquaintances into best friends. I am passionate about this. Everyone needs more friends. Everyone needs closer friends. Everyone needs a better framework to nurture those friendships to keep them vibrant and healthy.

Adventure-Us is more than a collection of random events to attend. It’s a thoughtfully prepared series of interactions designed to accelerate the process of making friends. Consider just one aspect of forming relationships—spending quality time and quantity time. Our monthly calendar includes a monthly alcohol-free cocktail party where there is absolutely no agenda other than chatting and getting to know one another. The format and frequency are deliberately designed to create mutual routine. Members who see each other consistently accumulate quantity time that establishes a foundation of trust and security. In addition, we plan trips and physically active events which heighten bonding. These memorable shared experiences are the very definition of quality time, and they spark deeper conversations and increase emotional intimacy.

There is a point and a purpose behind everything we do, and I can’t wait to put it all into action!