Surfing Passion

Finding passion in what you do is one of the most fulfilling experiences.  This summer we had great surf.  My best friends and I would be glued to the surf reports weeks in advance in order to predict when the next great surf was coming.  When the surf arrives, sunrise comes early and we slip into our wetsuits, going over logistics.  Grumbling stomachs eat peanut butter sandwiches, carefully constructed the night before, as we begin our trek.  The neighborhood looks tired at dawn, leaving empty roads and dim lanterns on at the ends of driveways to light our path.  Although our bodies were tired, we knew that surfing trumped sleep and that has always been our mindset.

I’ve been watching the ocean unfurling its’ blue barrels my entire life, but everyday I find a new perspective and appreciation for the deep blue.  On days we couldn’t ride, we’d live vicariously through Red Bull athletes by watching their videos and movies.  The next time we’re on the water, we push ourselves trying new tricks to improve our skill.  It’s great when you exceed your limits. Passion is what often pushes us to exceed our limits.

Everyday we set boundaries for ourselves without ever realizing it. These limitations appear to keep us safe, but ultimately hold us back from improvement. It can be hard to recognize what you’re capable of and how to prove yourself in the world today. As with surfing, going beyond what you think is capable is when you start to accomplish your goal.

There are plenty of logistics to consider when going out surfing. The same is true in many aspects of business. One such logistic in surfing is finding the right beach. It is like finding the right job. So much planning needs to go into it. Are you confident with your resume and do you have the right suit for the interview? If there is good preparation one can close a deal or rip a wave for that matter.

Another logistic is using the right vehicles to transport the surfboards.  Not everybody owns a car that can carry a 12 foot board. I for one don’t have this car.  More often than not, we end up hanging a board out the rear hatch of our car using straps to secure it in place.  Making sure the product reaches its destination safely is at the top of priorities for businesses. Cost is another factor. Determining the best way takes research and sometimes trial and error. Difficulties sometimes creates new solutions.

A third logistic that must be considered while surfing is the environment. Checking the weather and dressing for what may be a big sky day or a rough, rainy and windy day will determine how we approach the waves.  You cannot control the environment but you can deal with it.  The same can be said about environments in business.

Know Your Roots

     I climbed many trees in my youth.  I remember the overwhelming thrill and accomplishment after reaching the peak.  Birds would cheer me on as I ascended past their carefully constructed nests.  In autumn, the leaves often whispered a sense of serenity in the wind, reflecting the color of fall in the sky.  Branches transformed into monkey bars on a jungle gym exposing an endless world of challenges.  The seasons changed but the rooted giants never did.  As I grew older, I noticed the trees never strayed from their passive yet lively routines, instead they watched me grow my own roots.

      This summer I saved someone's life.  It was a sudden rush and my actions were closer to instinct than courage.  An older man slipped off his boat while a line was caught on his arm.  The boat proceeded to drag him further away from the dock and out to sea.  I was in full stride when I heard his wife crying for help.  I visualized my tree branches as I leapt off the dock.  It was as though I was leaving one branch to swing onto another.  It felt natural with a cool breeze and the warm sun on my face.  I pulled the man up from the boat and made sure he was breathing right.  I was taken aback by the fear in his eyes when I brought him back to reality.  Once the old man was stable I went back to work with a new aspect on life.

      Like people, organizations rely on foundation and direction.  With the right core values and mission, organizations can change lives for the better.  Sometimes organizations are large and tall but their roots are not as deep as they seem.  In order to perform an ethical business, top-level managers, owners, and employees must gain a fair profit from their organization.  It happens too frequently when greed and power shrouds the mission of a corporation.  If the core values prove to be hollow, the organization could sink and this time there will be no scrawny boy to save them.  

      I haven't climbed those trees in years but I witness the effect they had on my childhood every day.  I swing from one situation to another in a calm and comfortable manner.  I've learned to balance my work life while I climb the rungs of the social ladder.  Although my obstacles appear differently with each situation, the view of success remains the same.  I've discovered who I am through these experiences and who I want to be as a result.