I'm blogging on the beach again (with my HP iPAQ 6915). This time I'm at Hanauma Bay to get in some good snorkling. Snorkling is fun and relaxing, and definitely a time for reflection.
When I'm snorkling amidst the waves, coral, fish, and sea turtles, I become very aware of the fact that I am the visitor. I am visiting the underwater world that belongs to the ocean life. When I swim around, I actually kind of try to be a fish, hoping not to disturb them too much, just thankful that they let me enjoy their beautiful home.
I find it interesting to watch the fish nibble at the coral as the waves swoosh them around. They each nibble on their own little spot of coral all facing one way according to the water's direction. Then, as the water changes directions, they rotate around their little spot, now facing another direction according to the water's direction. All the fish just swing around their little spots like little compass needles all magnetically aligned, adapting to the changing direction of the magnetic field. Every so often a stronger wave comes by, one that is so strong that the fish can't stay on their little spot of coral. When this happens, the water lifts them up from their spots and slides them over to a new position. The fish instantly settle into their new spots of coral and continue to nibble away. This dance continues on... lasting forever as far as I can tell!
It's pretty cool how the fish continue to nibble and seem so relaxed about how the waves push them around. They seem to just hang out and go with the flow.
Can you tell that there is going to be a work analogy in all this? Read on, and think about how this relates to your career.
When I go snorkling I try to swim like a fish-- kicking steadily but overall being pretty relaxed about how the waves push me around. I may have a destination or general direction in mind or I may not, but as I swim the waves are sometimes with me and sometimes against me. Throughout, I just relax and continue to kick at a steady pace, looking around at the ocean life. I can tell how fast I'm moving by looking at the coral or the ocean floor. When the waves are against me, I make little or no forward progress. When the waves are for me, I get propelled ahead. Sometimes I kick extra hard when the waves are for me and this really shoots me ahead.
When I think about my career, I have to say that it's a lot like swimming in the waves. I work steadily and in bursts. Sometimes the waves are with me, and sometimes the waves are against me. Sometimes the water spins me around into a different direction. In general, I try to get aligned with the waves as much as possible, and when the waves are with me I make extra bursts of effort. I try not to get too down when the waves are against me, but continue to kick steadily. Sometimes I power through when the waves are against me, but I do this judiciously as it takes lots of extra effort. My progress is not always steadily moving forward, but it usually happens in bursts, usually when my efforts are aligned with the waves.
Now, I should say that my analogy does break, because sometimes you really do have to swim hard against the waves to make your biggest contributions and forward advances. So, it's not all smooth sailing. However, do keep in mind that big bursts of forward progress can be made when you are going with the wave. So putting some extra effort into getting aligned can be quite powerful. The key is to know when you're swimming with the waves and when you're swimming against them, and directing your efforts accordingly.
Have you had similar experiences with your career?
Tags:
blogging,
beach,
snorkling,
swimming in waves,
career tips,
HP Feel free to include a URL in your comments.
Posted
04-15-2007 5:31 AM
by
susie.wee