Change Can Feel Like a Rushing River Over Sharp Turns and Bumps
Humans crave both the comfort and security of the Status Quo, and at the same time the thrill and adventure of the new, unique and challenging.
This can create some interesting ups and downs, just like you may have experienced if you ever got the chance to go River Rafting.
Following my post last week about creating momentum, I’m going to talk this week, a bit about not just surviving the rapids of change and momentum, but how to turn the experience into the ride of your life, using River Rafting as an analogy.
What River Rafting Teaches Us
Years ago, for 12 hours, after river rafting for a weekend with my office team and boyfriend, I dropped out of society and began training as a river rafting guide. Morning dawned and somewhere after our second cup of coffee in the morning, “reality” set in and my boyfriend and I packed up and headed back down the mountain.
But I’ve never forgotten the thrill, or the lessons that River Rafting teaches about flow, movement and working with a team.
1. Move Faster Than the River
Successful river rafting; meaning no one is dumped in the river or dashed upon the rocks, is highly dependent on one thing: that you have the ability to approach the rapids moving faster than the waves.
Which means, as you approach a set of rapids, your guide begins to shout for you to paddle with everything you have!
From what I understand, when you can paddle so that you and your boat are moving faster than the waves, then you are able to direct the boat.
Holding back and clinging to the sides results in simply being tossed about, crashing into rocks and sides and possibly even a good dunking.
2. Know What To Do When the Going Gets Rough
My enjoyment of riding the river increased exponentially after the opportunity to “practice” getting thrown out of the boat by the water.
I lost my fear of that happening because I’d practiced with my body, in a short stretch of river, with guides at the beginning and end with “lifesavers” as I rode the tops and bottoms of the waves.
3. Nothing Substitutes for a Really Good Guide
River rafting was such a thrilling experience. But it was an inherently dangerous one, as well. Having that experienced guide at the back, one who could see the whole picture of the river, direct the efforts of the team and hold the confidence of the experience made all the difference for me.
Are you planning for an upcoming change of circumstances?
Got a thrill ride of your own planned? Know your destination? Packed your tools? Hired your sherpa or guide?
Here are my recommendations to make your trip a more thrilling, and less uncomfortable trip:
- Know your destination. What do you want? What kind of experience do you want?
- Establish your benchmarks. Think of it like identifying markers on the journey so you know you are on track to get where you want to go.
- Assess the tools that work for you, or might work for you.
- Choose your “crew” carefully. You’ll want people around you that support you, listen to you, tell you the truth and can lean in when the water gets moving fast!
- Take breaks to debrief. No river rafter rides all the time. Rafters get out in quiet spots to rest and regroup. During those times, they find value in breaking down what worked and what could be improved upon. That’s what helps them grow their skill in working with the river’s powerful motion.
- Get help from someone who knows the territory, or who can help you prepare and execute your trip!
Don’t Have a Crew?
Schedule an interview to see if my upcoming Mastermind might create the perfect fit for the adventure you’re ready to take!
Remember the principle; to ride the wave, you have to be working together to move faster than the speed of the flow. Having a powerful team and talented guide can make all the difference in having an exciting ride as opposed to being tossed and thrown.