The Next Time You Get Thrashed…

Just a few seconds earlier, the wave looked perfect. The swell had a gentle roll and a soft slope — a beautiful source that will handle the majority of work needed to propel my 19-foot surfski kayak towards the distant shoreline. A few light and quick paddle strokes lift me onto the wave.

The style and grace of this ride isn’t meant to last. It’s a wave of energy, after all, and energy can come, go, and change.

And just like that, my situation suddenly changes from an incredible high to obscenely frightening. The wave has steepened to my left, right, and underneath me — it’s ready to crash and throw me violently down its breakpoint.

In our daily lives, we are surrounded by waves that constantly change in size, volume, and shape. That sensory shift from “cruising” to “this could be bad” happens quickly.

In these moments, the intuitive reaction is to brace for impact. Fight it out, endure the thrashing, survive, then pick up the pieces.

The thing about “brace and fight” mode is that it doesn’t necessarily move you to safer ground or a better place. Instead, it navigates you to situations that require more bracing and fighting. Like the maw of a crashing wave, it feeds on itself.

The more challenging and counter-intuitive choice is to let go.

Back on my surfski, I’m surrounded by a wall of force ready to slam me into the ocean floor. But instead of fighting with my paddle and strength, I simply…

Let go.

Lean forward.

Center my body.

Wait.

And just like that, my stillness of mind and body set up the *quiet necessary* for me to feel the drop-off of the breaking wave and forecast where this wave wants to hurl its energy next.

I can then make small adjustments. Without a fight.

And when the wave releases then softens? It clears a path for the surfski to exit and retreat to calmer waters.

A negative force doesn’t weigh you down. Choosing to fight it does. Remove your resistance and balance appears.

Thank you for reading my post — I’m Joe.

After winning an Olympic Gold Medal for the United States, I followed an expected corporate path reaching the rank of CEO.

Following a long stint, I walked away from that job knowing there must be a better way.

I now travel the world presenting at conferences, as well as to work with corporations and their leaders, business owners, and influencers about performance, life purpose and serving to full potential.

In other words, I work with Leaders just like You.

You can learn more about me at JoeJacobi.com.

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