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If we focus on the possible negative, we get sucked into it.
Lessons. Everywhere, lessons present themselves. And they remind us that we are always students. Lifelong learners. If we pay attention.
My latest education has come over the past few weeks courtesy of my new twelve-foot ocean kayak.
Previously, I had paddled in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, and in North Florida inlets. Let’s say my first week of ocean kayaking has gifted me some wonderful lessons.
Perspective. I spend time on the beach observing surfers and paddle boarders. I notice smooth water, small waves, and storm-tossed breakers. The appreciation for the conditions, though, changed when I walked my kayak into the ocean for the first time. The waves took on a very different perspective atop of (and soon tossed from) my kayak seat.
Lesson. Until we dive into a project, we do not have a full appreciation of what to expect. A new job might look perfect—until we report to work. Perhaps it’s criticizing a co-worker, government action, or the stance of a group different from ours. Until we get into that water, we really don’t understand that perspective.
Lesson. Fear can lead to counter-productive actions. We start to focus on the thing we do NOT want to do. I once heard a race car driver’s advice on how NOT to hit the racetrack wall. Simply, he said, do NOT look at the wall. If we focus on the possible negative, we get sucked into it. My first day on the kayak I focused on the waves and not being tossed rather than focusing on the shore and gliding to a stop. I tensed up and face planted in the water.
Lesson. When we attempt something new, when we stretch ourselves, we might feel adrift. Like we have no anchor. We find ourselves treading unfamiliar waters. Some people quit. Some figure out how to persevere. Some look for reassurance and guidance. In my case, I looked a little north and spied surfers and paddle boarders. I felt better knowing others were close by. They wouldn’t paddle my boat but just knowing others were in similar waters gave me a feeling of security. When you feel lost and adrift, look around for those who may be in similar waters. Collegiality can be a powerful motivator.
Daily Discipline. Each day I go out, I see improvement. I paddle further; spill less frequently; unload, load, and strap the kayak to the cart with more skill. I now look at how the waves break on a particular day before lunging into the surf. I am more aware. I still have a long way to paddle—and I have come a long way, as well.
Lesson. Whether you want to call it locus of control or self-efficacy, when you fall short, get up, fall again, get up again…ad nauseum….you learn, you grow, and move closer to a goal. If we fail to notice that we fail to notice—we hinder our movement forward.
Sometimes laughing is the best way to soothe a bruised ego. With that in mind, my bride sent me this video link. Even kayakers have a blooper reel.
This entry was posted in Appreciation, awareness, coaching, emotional intelligence, empathy, Excuses, Failure, fear, focus, Grit, resilience and tagged coaching, discipline, failure, fear, focus, growth, kayaking, life lessons, ocean kayaks, perspective, resilience. Bookmark the permalink.