Hang Ten, Dude: 10 reasons to adopt a Surfer Mindset

Two days surfside in Laguna Beach showed me what I needed to see right now. I've had clients who enjoyed surfing ranging from the hobbyist to the pro competitor. They always shared with me what it was like to learn and engage in the sport. They talked about the way it felt physically, mentally, and socially. From beginner to pro, they described the physical exhilaration of relying on self-mastery of skills to paddle out and ride a wave in well...and of course the other kind of exhilaration that happened when they were pummeled to the sand below. Mentally, every level of surfer talked about the decompression they experienced sitting "as one" with the ocean. Every one of them reflected on the incredible emotional impact surfing had on reducing stress, increasing inner peace, and enhancing their relationship with the spirituality of nature. Patience is cultivated as the surfer waits for his opportunity to move with the power of the water. One of the interesting elements that they also shared was how community happened in the surfer's realm. Out at sea, there is an order to things. There is a consideration (actually an etiquette) of how to share the waves as they roll in. There is a sense of trust, honor, and connection amongst the pack of surfers as they wait for the next great wave.

I watched surfers of mixed ages from single digits to AARP-qualifiers for hours one day. I saw how all of the above played out. The mindset and practices of surfing lend themselves to a healthier, more fulfilling, and more effective approach to riding the waves of everyday life. Here are ten reasons to adopt the Surfer Mindset:

1. Trust your truths. The surfer has to trust what he knows about the physics of the sea, the board, and the body. In life, we have to trust what we know about our knowledge, skills, personality traits, and beliefs that are aligned with our best intentions and serve us/others well. I call these elements our "Core Powers". When we lead with our Core Powers, we can manage the challenges of our day better.
2. Serenity yields success. The surfer who waits in a state of peace is the one who works with the waves well. Fear causes a rigidity in the body that causes the fall. Anxiety limits the brain from taking healthy risk. A stressed mind is a stifling mind. Research shows that a stressed brain cannot see opportunities, problem-solve, or communicate fully well. I teach people how to calm their central nervous system and attach to an inner peace before engaging in difficult conversations, important meetings, or tests of varying types.
3. Passion is purpose-full. There is zero doubt about the passion a surfer feels toward this sport. It motivates and defines them. Their passion elevates the experience. There is also no doubt that when we have passion as a fuel source for our day, we are better able to manage mundane daily requirements. In fact, passion is what gives us a sense of purpose. When we engage in activities that we are passionate about, even if only for a short period of time each day or once/twice per week, then we actually create this "work:life balance" that is so often the top corporate wellness topic.
4. Acceptance is liberating. Just as the surfer can't make the waves happen but can only enjoy them when they do, the same thing is true with so many parts of daily life. When we can accept the things we can't control, it gives us the ability to put our energy into the things we can. (Of course, as the saying goes, we have to have the wisdom to know the difference.) Oh boy, though, is it freeing to let go of trying to control people and only focus on having the courage to change the things you can. Some days, there will be no waves. On those days, you get to sit with the sea in tranquility.
5. Know when to jump. Going along with acceptance is the idea of knowing when to bail. Surfers are attuned to and respect the messages from their environment. When the wave speaks, the surfer listens. With this awareness, the surfer knows when it's time to concede their position before the ocean tosses them to the sandy bottom. In daily life, too often we stay in relationships or jobs long past the circumstances or dynamics indicate are the right place for us to be. When we overstay or stance, we often wind up eating dirt.
6. Ahhhhh...but hang ten (which is a surfer's saying that means to find your balance on the board enough to hang your toes over the front edge)...because Falling isn't failing. So when you do get thrown by the sea of life and you tumble around a bit, know that when you find your footing again that you will have a story to tell. In my own life and the lives of every single one of my thousands of clients over the years, our richness and definition come from ALL of our stories...the prize is in the process and the process is never linear.
7. Honor and Order Matters. It was most remarkable to me to see how the etiquette of wave-riding played out amongst the packs of surfers. They knew the order of who would go when seemingly without much (if any) discussion about it. They paid attention to the nonverbal cues. Especially in this age of increased virtual meetings both professionally and socially, how often do we fail to attend to the real cues of conversation that happen with facial expressions and body language? Is someone really finished with their thought? How are they actually feeling when their words say one thing and their face/body shows another? Are we making assumptions or are we truly honoring the other by attending to the order of our communication?
8. Humility becomes the trademark of true confidence. There's not a real surfer out there who wouldn't be able to tell you how waves have humbled them. With humility first and throughout the experience, the surfer can master the movements needed to rise up over the crest, find their footing, and confidently glide to the shore. Regardless of the role you take on in the business or personal life, When we breathe into our choices with humility (which is NOT the same as self-doubt), we show up as trustworthy, willing, and most often able. Be curious, open, and realizing of the fact that your ideas are valuable and not the only ones that are worthy of consideration. True confidence is not about being right.
9. Respect the environment. Respecting the power and conditions of the ocean is essential to the survival of the surfer. When we respect our environments (whether in nature, our home, or our corporate world), we create healthier energy and collaborative living dynamic with whom we share our environments.
10. Get back on your board. If at first, you don't succeed...try again. I watched surfers go under and come back up. Every time, they hopped back on and paddled out for more. Were they hoping or a wave-beating, no. They were realistically optimistic that they would have a great ride in next time. You can't catch the right wave and ride it well without getting back on the board.

Gnarly, dude. I just wrote a whole article about life lessons from surfing and I've never been on a surfboard. I do, however, surf the waves of life every single day.

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#mindset #overcome #challenges #surfer #lifestyle #stressmanagement

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