I recently had one of the best surf sessions I’ve had in a LONG time. By “best” I mean most satisfying… stoke-inducing… I don’t know. If you haven’t surfed, it’s hard to translate the feeling.
Just think of what activity turns you on the most & think of the BEST session you’ve ever had of that activity. A time that, when you think about it 2 weeks later, still has you excited.
(I realize where you may be headed with the above exercise, but let’s move on. Perv.)
As I’ve processed what it was about this session that made it so special, I realized there are 2 lessons that can be applied to life & business.
1) Big steps of faith reap big rewards
This day was big. Big enough to make an experienced surfer’s heart race.
And that’s exactly why it felt so good.
We can continue surfing fun 1-2 footers all our lives (.. or even worse, just lay on the beach & get wrinkly), or we can CHOOSE to face double-overhead set waves.
In other words, we can stay within our comfort zone or we can choose to step into the unknown… face our fears… and see what happens.
Our biggest rewards in life come when we conquer things that initially seem beyond our ability to conquer. Bigger risk = bigger reward.
This is the #1 reason most of the human race spends 40-60 hours a week (.. plus commuting time) doing something they hate. Anything else involves confronting fear & is too big a risk.
2) When confronting fear, charge
This particular day, I wasn’t surfing my own 6′6″ custom-shaped JC board that I’ve surfed 100s of times and feels like an extension of my own body.
This was supposed to be a relaxing day at the beach, so I didn’t even take my board or plan on surfing.
But the waves were too enticing, so I grabbed my wife’s pink 6′2″ ripper and headed out. This is a board I always thought was way too small for me & never been on once… and on this particular day, we were sans-board wax so I was SURE I’d be sliding all over the place.
So I paddled out with basically nothing to lose.
And once I caught that first wave & stuck the drop-in, it was smooth sailing the rest of the day.
That’s the cool thing about life… once you start busting through your comfort zone & knocking out fears, ANY challenge comes easier. Once you make the first drop on that first big wave & prove to yourself that you can do it, big waves actually BECOME your new comfort zone.
For me, public speaking has always pushed my C-Zone meter into red alert.
If you’ve ever heard my presentation on “Joint Ventures & Internet Marketing,” you know that I actually had to walk out in the middle of 2 friends’ weddings (.. as a groomsman!) because of my anxiety being in front of people.
Today I speak regularly to audiences of 100+ … but ONLY because I intentionally decided about 2 years ago that it was time for this fear to go bye bye for good.
We should all be hitting the edge of our comfort zones on a regular basis. In fact, if you’re not facing C-Zone issues on a regular basis, you’re probably not trying hard enough at life.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The whole reason I believe the above truths exist is that God WANTS us to face situations that are beyond our control.
When we do, we have no choice but to put things into His hands.
And trust me, His hands are a WAY better place for our challenges than our own.
He wants us to write incredible life stories of success… continually confronting & conquering new challenges.
And to to be windows rather than mirrors. When we succeed, he wants the world to be able to look through us & see Christ getting the glory.
What is the biggest wave you’re facing today?
Are you just sitting on the beach watching it at a distance? Are you paddling around on the inside just to say that you “gave it a shot”?
Or are are you in the deep ocean — sharks, reef, monster waves and all — charging, conquering, and feeling the unique and indescribable stoke?
You are more than a conqueror. Paddle out.
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Posted in Business, Faith, Life | Comments (15)
Posted on March 31st, 2009
This is so true and I thank you for sharing it.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
Hey,
Thanks for the words of encouragment it only confirms my walk no my need to leap out in faith. It is my goal to do this business because I love helping people. So thank you again
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
I knew there must have been a reason I ‘liked’ you. Through some means I had perceived a sense of your values.
Well put Andy. I’ll second Mary’s thanks for you having shared your thoughts.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
That was really great! Thanks for sharing that, and the Romans 8:28 reference- mixed in with the paddling- I loved it and am inspired. I especially liked the “are you paddling around…just to say you gave it a shot” part.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
Our days are rich with moments of opportunity. But most of the time we miss them altogether because we’re so medicated by our own comfortable lives.
When you’re pushed to the edge of your comfort zone, your senses are on edge. You’re alert and even searching for something important. And that’s when you begin to see…and hopefully seize…those opportunity-rich moments.
Go be a part of something big. Be a life changer.
Thanks, Andy, for some great A.M. insights.
…jp
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
Yes!!!!! We are more than conqueror!!!! Thank you to bring it to my mind this morning.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
Andy,
Nice blog. It’s so true.
Godbless!
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
You tha man Andy… as usual EXCELLENT post bro.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
God Bless You More for sharing such a personal and inspirational message to all. Yes, I know the feeling of going beyond the C zone. I was raised a pentacostal Christian where my Tutu was the pastor for many years. About a 2 years ago I was about to lose all of my re investments, the market changed, the mortgage co I worked for closed down and there went my $100K in comm due me for 4 months or so. But I heard God tell me to “Let Go What is in your hand” And watch me LET GO of what is MY HANDS!!So this year I made a choice to get back into the re market but this time I am totally dependent on HIS DIVINE WISDOM in making my decisions..May God continually bless you & your family!! A hui ho from Maui
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
Nice story thanks for the thought…Did anybody see that monster wave??? Great job Andy as always.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009
The blog about the dreamer was my first reading of your blog, I was at a crossroads and really needed what you said. It started me back writing a book I needed to write and guess what I was writing about the same basic thing you were here but with out the water, the comfort zone. Thank you.
Posted on April 3rd, 2009
Andy - Great Blog Post - loved the analogy! Here’s the surf video clip my son produced that I promised to send you when you were in Tampa, Florida.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeC8FfzjlxE
Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Kathy
Posted on April 5th, 2009
Jump out of the comfort zone and into the fire. It’s that first burst of adrenalin that gets you through to the other side. Now…to just practice what I said, that’s the trick!
Thanks for the share, Andy. Enjoy your blog.
Diane
Posted on April 13th, 2009
Any way to get an email to Andy thanks so much.
Posted on April 13th, 2009
Hey, I know where your comming from. The only way to succeed in life, is to step out & go for broke, inspite of your fears. Wether you fail or succeed. ‘Cause success only comes to those who keep failing & reuse to give up.