Surf's Up!

Following on from my last post, once we get proficient at swimming in calm waters, the real challenge lies in finding flow under more turbulent conditions. Viewing our professional (and personal) lives as an ocean where we are confronted by waves—opportunities and problems, challenges that we must overcome—presents us with choices. We can choose to splash around in the shallow water, hoping that no waves come our way; we can struggle with the swell, fighting against the waves; or we can learn how to surf, using the energy of the wave to propel us on a more exhilarating ride. Even in the current economic downturn there are plenty of opportunities—by definition, a trough always comes with an accompanying crest—waiting to be sought out and surfed, provided we have the requisite discipline, balance and strong foundation to endure the ride. 

To experience the rush of surfing we have to actively look for the waves and enlist others to help us find the bigger ones. Unfortunately most of us do not get to experience the thrill of this ride because of one of the following factors:

·      Fear

·      Lack of awareness of possibilities

·      Getting trapped in the shallows by desires, emotions, possessions, or petty problems

·      Distraction, continually aiming for the little waves

·      Not prepared to invest the effort required (prefer comfort)

As Laird Hamilton demonstrates, to really surf requires:

·      Waves, the bigger the better (an big, ambitious, bold goal or project)

·      Balance -  from a good foundation

·      Going with (not against)

·      Developing strength, especially a strong foundation and core

·      Beating fear

·      Being bold

·      The support of a good team

There will never be a point when we feel we are ready to take on the biggest waves, it will always be a process of searching them out and trying our best to stay on, getting back on the board when we are knocked off, and having the determination to continue developing our skills. We have to meet our fears and weaknesses head-on, then curtail and transcend them so that we can find the calmness of mind to retain our balance under all circumstances and feel the thrill of flow.

In these changing times there are many opportunities to find a bigger wave. As companies cut resource  and require employees to take on more, this can send some good surf our way if only we recognize it as such. This type of surfing is a transferable skill—finding such flow in one area allows us to develop it in others and consistently create the effortless power associated with true impact.