Drown-Swim – float – Surf – Dive

Have you ever felt like you’re drowning when starting something new? I know we have! To make matters worse, I witnessed two friends drown and get dragged from shore by a rip. Drowning kills more people in Australia each year than sharks, crocs, jellyfish, spiders or snakes combined. Adopting a Surfer Mentality can help you stay afloat and ride the waves of personal growth. There is just one thing… unless you are brought up by a beach and relatively privileged most people are unable to surf. Furthermore, if you start late it takes some time to stand on your board. Do not underestimate the time it takes just to take the plunge or even to get your toes wet. Also keep an eye out for sharks and misinformation. There is a lot of talk out there. In truth without action words are a nasty stain on the beauty of silence. Why can people not allow their actions to speak?
Having learned to swim and get the opportunity to surf as part of my work teaching and as a student not to mention working as a kayak instructor. I realize that just getting on or into the water is a huge achievement for plenty of people. Also, I suck at surfing so I wanted to find something that I am decent at. For me that way kayaking.
Going beneath the surface of the water is often a greater challenge. To continue growing and experiencing new things, I did my first dive while I coached and learned from many of my holiday encounters with new people on a trip last year. On these self-discovery trips you meet a lot of passing faces in the night. I fell into the trap of chatting, following and exchanging details. Upon reflection a year later, I see that these relationships were situational at best and the majority were transactional encounters fueled by language barriers and loneliness. Paradoxically solo travel brings out the best and worst in people starting off well in the morning and then deviating at night.
Coaching group, couple and solo travellers is something Animo + specialized in for the first few years before I had a company name and was just Brian. Getting payment was not the objective yet looking back I undervalued my investment and the changes that I was helping to facilitate in other peoples lives. I did not feel truly appreciated and it was then I realized that with this attitude it was still about me. That was totally my own fault. I know working on goals and setting solid plans while traveling is powerfully potent as the free time can bring much needed clarity and curiosity that people cannot usually afford the time to dedicate to themselves. When you add coaching to the mix, the possibilities continue to expand until you run out of money. The holiday always comes to an end sooner or later.
Here are some additional stages to consider if using swimming and diving as metaphors. There are some shark facts to keep you alert:
1. Relax and accept where you are. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or unsure when you’re starting something new. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s all part of the learning process. If you’re approached by a shark don’t take the navy seal approach and try punching him in the nose. The deeper you go the more you realize that remaining still is best and if approached a push is often more achievable than a punch when the water pressure becomes stronger. You’re in a new environment and this is someone else’s habitat.
2.Focus on the basics. Just like a swimmer needs to learn the basics of breathing and stroke technique, you need to focus on the fundamentals of your new endeavor. Don’t worry about being perfect right away – just focus on making progress.
3.Find a supportive community. Just like a swimmer needs a coach and teammates to help them improve, you need a supportive community to help you stay motivated and on track. Look for people who share your interests and can offer guidance and encouragement. Keep away from the many temptations that are out there to be seen for the sake of notoriety. Social Media is not all it is cracked up to be.
4.Take care of yourself. Just like a swimmer needs to stay hydrated and well-rested, you need to take care of your physical and emotional health. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking time to relax and recharge.
By adopting the Surfer Mentality, you can learn to ride the waves of personal growth with confidence and ease. This takes years of practice and remember you may just get wiped out every now and then.
But what about diving? Here are some additional stages unique to my experience with diving:
5. Overcoming fear. Diving can be a scary experience, especially if you’re new to it. But by facing your fears and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you can build confidence and resilience that will serve you well in other areas of your life. The deeper you go the less at risk one is of being attacked by a shark. If you are below a shark they cannot dive down to attack you and like people the smaller ones are more often than not more aggressive than the larger ones. However, the deeper one goes the darker and murkier the water becomes.
6. Learning new skills. Diving requires a lot of specialized knowledge and skills, from breathing techniques to underwater navigation. By learning these skills, you can expand your horizons and challenge yourself to grow in new ways. Remember sharks only die when they stop swimming. They are unable to breath in oxygen from the water without movement. Keep moving and stay active.
7. Connecting with nature. Diving gives you a unique opportunity to explore the beauty and wonder of the underwater world. By connecting with nature in this way, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the world around you. Developing a sense of awe and wonder that can inspire personal growth. Most of the oxygen we breath on this planet is produced by flora of the see. For all the trees and plants on land only one out of every three breaths are produced by land species. Most of our oxygen is produced by aquatic plants.
8. Building community. Diving is often a social activity, and it can be a great way to connect with others who share your interests and passions. By building a community of like-minded individuals, you can find support, encouragement, and inspiration to help you grow and thrive. Who are your community?