All in

One of the most difficult things to do in surfing is to master the drop in. It’s the point where you’re paddling from the peak of the wave, and it’s about to crest. You quickly go from a paddling prone positing, to a standing one, all in a single fluid movement. And you’re doing this at the steepest, most critical point of the wave. 

One moment you’re facing down the abyss; the next, you’re flying down the wave fully committed and working with the natural forces at hand. 

During the drop in, the worst thing you can do is hesitate. A half-hearted drop-in will likely yield a wipeout. Conversely, a committed drop is more likely to create exhilaration.

Like doing business, if you’re going to drop in on the wave, you have to fully commit to enjoy the ride and reap the rewards. Here you’re committing to do something you wanted to do in the first place. 

Decide, then do wholeheartedly. Let the chips fall where they may.

There are so many things to get right about doing good business. So many skills that I need to hone or learn from scratch. I feel the constant need to steepen my pace of learning and practice—and share what I’ve learned with others. I have to say no to things that I’d like to do but should no longer be doing. 

I have to keep bringing guts, grit, and vision. I have to keep dropping in with commitment, even when my heart is in my throat, my inner voice of judgment is barking, and my body is weary. I have to keep trying to get better at all of what I do. 

And, I’ve put myself in a position where I have to, and get to do all the things I’ve long wanted to do. 

And I get to serve you.

I can’t drop in for you. I can’t always be there when you commit to your next big decision. If I could, I would. I would encourage you to commit to making the best decision possible for you, your people, and your customers. I would push you on a massive wave that you thought you couldn’t ride, and you’d have the ride of your life. You’d thank me for it. Then, we’d sit on the beach and toast to your success.

I’m not sure what’s more powerful, someone who’s got everything or someone who’s all in with nothing to lose. I wouldn’t be against all in. I have benefited from recognizing the critical and exhilarating moments in my life—the ones where not hesitating to go all in pays off.