Christopher V. Flett

When I was taking life guard training, the first thing we were taught is that a drowning person is a dangerous person. Not only will they strangle you if you get close (in order to preserve themselves), but they are not of rational mind. The first thing you need to do is get their attention, swim in behind them, and grab them around the chest. We were even taught that if need be, slap them or punch them to give yourself a chance to ‘shock’ them and position yourself to help them without getting hurt yourself. In business, it is common to feel like you are just about to go under water. The invoices that your clients owe you aren’t being paid, you have a huge cash burn each month (expenses), and the water is creeping up slowly, but surely over your head. Rather than flailing around frantically, stop and take a breathe.

If you stop struggling and put your feet down, you’ll find that you can touch. Maybe just on your tippy toes, but you can touch. Then you quiet your mind, close your eyes and feel the floor beneath you. One way and you’ll go deeper; the other and you’ll start to get into shallower and more manageable water. If you got yourself into the deep end, you can get yourself back out, but not by splashing and screaming. You must breath and ‘feel’ for the way out. Your rational mind will kick in, but not if you are in flight or fight mode. I’ve spent the last 11 years working with clients, who in their pursuits of big business and big money, find themselves in the deep end. Some swim in circles, some bob their heads above and below water month to month, but the seasoned ones ‘tread’ water and look around at the horizon. They look to see where the shallow part is and they swim (with strategies) to that part of the proverbial pool.

Everyone that has ever done anything great has felt like they are ‘in over their heads’. That’s part of the process, but how you manage these situations will determine if you become a champion swimmer or if you will run out of steam and sink. When it doubt, turn off your phone, your email, shut your door, take a breath and think…there is always a way out and you are the person to make it happen.

Best,

C/