When things don't go quite so smoothly...

When Things Don't Go Quite So Smoothly...

When we hit the metal gate with two kayaks on the roof and listened to the screech of metal being ripped from the roof of my friends' car, I came to the conclusion that random events happen to everyone and not just me. What made it all the more bizarre was that she continued to drive forwards even though we were snagged. When it happened we were in mid-conversation so she just kept going. The thing is people's lives are complex and the most random things happen and it is how we react to them that certainly reveals where a person is in their lives. This little even happened because a group of us were going paddle-boarding and kayaking up a river. My friend and I would usually be on inflatable paddleboards that are stored in the car. It seemed that my friend actually forgot that she had kayaks on her roof and continued to drive when we came up against the barrier. That in itself is a little insight - continuing to drive even though you reach a barrier...

This last few weeks I have been writing a book about paddle-boarding and loving writing it because so many insights come from some of the situations I find myself in when floating on the sea. Take for example the other morning. I had been paddling for hours, completely relaxed and in gentle waves. I then glanced down to see the hugest jelly fish. It was beautiful. In response a jolt of adrenaline shot through me and I prepared to fight or flight. Of course when you go rigid on your board you then become unstable - somewhat like life. I quickly caught my reaction and was like hang on.. You have been paddling for two hours and not even thought about falling in and then one blooming big jelly fish and you become all wobbly - jellified actually. It then occurred to me that we all have incidents in life where surprise jelly fish turn up or there is a collision and in that moment how do we react? At first the jelly fish threw me into instincts and fear... That made me rigid and potentially would throw me in. Yet when I relaxed and rationalised I realised there was no need to fear. Can we apply this way of thinking to life?

So back to the kayak situation - the two kayaks flew backwards off the car and smashed on the ground. The roof-rack was ripped from the roof and smashed down too. So how do you think my friend reacted? She quickly climbed out of the car checked the kayaks were okay and shrugged. 'It's done now.' With that we got the tool box out, mended the roof rack, moved the kayaks and decided to paddle and have a lovely time. That one situation could have escalated into a tandrum-filled drama but it didn't because my friend was in a space where she was relaxed. So this has played on my mind today... It is quite a lovely thing to play on my mind - how we react and how we affect ourselves through those reactions. So say she had grown angry or frustrated then what would have happened? How would that have improved the situation. The situation happened and that was it, so what is it that in our inner worlds that makes a person launch into an absolute break-down when things don't go so smoothly. What if in those moments of fear, aggravation or anguish, we simply stopped and said - you know what it happened now. Let's do something to make it right and not carry the burden of the situation. What about if something rubbish happens you simply say it's done - let's still go and have a nice time.

The thing is that simple situation could have ruined everyone's paddling fun but it didn't we simply had a gorgeous time gliding up and down the river on kayaks and paddleboards. For me that is the joy of it... The beauty and pleasure of being on water, out in nature and with people who simply get on with it when things don't go so smoothly!

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Strategic thinking and its benefits.

 

 

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Strategic thinking and its benefits.

Isn’t it funny that quite often in life we just get on with things without thinking of the destination? Instead we jump straight in and start doing something without actually considering our intended outcome. This is what I learned today. I just get on with things rather than think of the plan. There were plenty of others like that in the group as well. I know it is simple and there are probably numerous strategically minded thinking people muttering ‘hello –obvious!!!’ Well to some people strategic thinking isn’t obvious. In fact, have you ever considered how people think so differently? Some people achieve their goals by taking action, others build structures and order while some simply think about what they need to do until they get it clear in their head.

Take for example your own life – what is your two year plan, your five year plan or your ten year plan?

Is there something you really want to achieve but you kind of hope it will just happen or just fall into place?

For me, this last couple of weeks has provided necessity, the mother of all invention. I am coming to the end of a five year plan, where I pretty much achieved all that I desired. However, I realised that I do not have a strategy or plan for the future or the next ten years. When I have no goal or no focus I find that I waft around in nothingness, not really getting anywhere or achieving anything. I then stagnate, feel stuck and get frustrated. I find that so many people really don’t know what they want so just get by. When someone close by to them achieves something great they say well ‘that was easy for them.’ It was not easy for them – they more than likely set a goal, decided on what they wanted and created a plan to achieve it.

So… are you ready to plan? To make that plan that will get you somewhere rather than sitting on your posterior waiting for a random miracle to happen?

First get that MISSION together.

The MISSION statement asks what do you really want? As a brand why do you exist? It might be to be the best you can be. Or to be the best cook in the world. What is it that you really want? What is the purpose of the mission? Why does this mission exist?

VISION – what is it you hope to achieve or want to be? So say you want to be the best cook in the world - would your vision be the following: to contribute my skills as a cook to the world through creating innovative and delicious recipes in a book and online. My reputation for unique food combinations generates a reputation and a niche market.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN:

How do you do it? What needs to happen?

As a cook you might set up a blog and provide a weekly recipe and share your tips on cooking efficiency.

You then build your recipe portfolio and add in the pictures. Finally you self-publish the book on-line and advertise it with your regular recipe blog.

MEASURE OF SUCCESS:

How do you measure whether you are the best cook in the world?

Is it based on book sales? Is it based on how many people read your blog? Do people have to point at you in the street and say ‘that is the best cook in the world or do you need a medal?’ Maybe it is media presence – your own cook and talk show. Whatever the measure is, make sure you measure your success. Look at what works and what does not work and then tailor the plan. Increase more of what works and cut your time wastage on what does not work.

Now do the above for two years.

Work out what you want to achieve over five years.

Finally work out the ten year dream.

Remember the plans can all change. You just need the initial vision in your mind to start the journey to the destination. You don’t travel on a plane and ask where it is you landed do you?

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