If you’re on a sailboat fighting against the wind and the current, it will make for a very difficult journey. It’s a perfect analogy for life. Stop resisting and start going with the flow of life.…
My wife is an amazing woman. As the consummate planner, she keeps everyone around her on task, but when things don’t follow her plan, it drives her crazy. I am the opposite. In my professional life, I know I have to plan ahead to get where I want to go. In my personal life, I prefer to ride the wave and enjoy the mystery of life.
It’s not about living life by the seat of your pants. It’s more about not getting attached to the specifics.
When you put your plan in place, be open to the outcome you planned for or something better.…
Last week we talked about the concept of riding the wave as a metaphor for how to live a fulfilling life. The point I made is that you first have to get present in the moment and accept what is. Once you are in the moment it is important to tune into your environment. Think of your environment as the current in the ocean. You can navigate in the direction you would like to go but you must do so within the framework of the current. As I mentioned earlier, fighting it or wishing it away doesn’t change what is, and does nothing but render you powerless to improve your situation. …
The working title for my book was “Ride the Wave.” I ultimately decided to change it to Adjust Your Sails. As a captain of a sailboat you must first accept the conditions around you (ride the wave) before you begin to navigate toward your destination (adjust your sails). The book is about the concept of successfully navigating life. A critical component is realizing that life, like the ocean, the currents, and the weather is not something that can be controlled. Things will happen to knock you off course and test your resolve, but you must flow with the changes rather than fighting against them.…