When Life Throws You Overboard: Get Back in the Boat

Picture this:

It's 60 degrees outside, you're the crew on a 16-foot sailboat competing in a regatta (sailboat race) on an inland lake - and the wind is howling.? It's exciting, everything is under control.? But then, out of nowhere, you're falling backwards, ass over tea kettle. You’re in the water—sputtering, surprised and wondering what just happened.? Fortunately, you're still clenching a rope in your hand that attaches you to the boat.

Your instincts kick in.? You use the rope to get close to the hull and somehow, with strength you never knew you had, haul yourself back in. Then, you spend the next two hours finishing this, and the second race, soaked to the skin, teeth chattering. This was my experience, two weeks ago on Delavan Lake, Wisconsin.?

My team-mate's instincts kicked in, too. Bob was "on the helm" (steering the boat) when I suddenly disappeared. ?He immediately adjusted the sail and the rudder and stopped the boat so I could climb back in.? We shortly discovered that the 'hiking strap' my feet were hooked into, had broken away.? No wonder. We recovered, got right back in the race and came in 4th place. I went home and ate so much food that day and was exhausted by nightfall.

How does this relate to you, though??

This unexpected plunge is a lot like life’s sudden twists. One moment, you're cruising along, and the next, you're thrown overboard by an unexpected turn of events—a job loss, a change in your role at work, a sudden health issue, or a personal crisis. It’s disorienting, maybe even scary. But just like in the water, you have two choices: panic or find your way back into the boat.

First, get your head up

Look around, breathe. Yes, you're in the water, and it wasn’t part of the plan, but you're conscious and afloat. Breathe. ?Assess your situation and remind yourself that you’ve got what it takes to handle this. You’ve survived sudden shifts before, you can do it again.? You will handle this.

Next, look for your way forward (to safety)

The boat metaphor represents your sense of stability, your support system, or even just a new plan. It’s still there, even if it's just a bit out of reach. Start swimming, use whatever you've got to pull towards it. This might mean reaching out to friends, rethinking your strategy, doing some research, reading about how to handle this new situation. Taking small steps to regain your footing. The key is to do something to move forward.

Take a moment to appreciate what you can do when you're focused.?

When you get kicked off your course, thrown out of the 'boat' -- it's unexpected and uncomfortable, even shocking, but you can handle it. You can take stock of the situation, find your strength, and climb back on.

As an executive/leadership coach, my clients are very often moving through uncertain and tough times like these.? Together, we get them back in the boat and moving forward again.

If you are facing such a situation, the time is right to reach out to me for support, guidance and counsel. ?

If you need a thought-partner, guide, advisor or confidant, DM me or check out my website (see my contact information here on LI) to learn more about working with me.

I'm happy to help you haul yourself out of the water!

I support leaders and high achievers to:

·????? work through problems,

·????? set protective boundaries

·????? delegate to prevent your burnout and advance your direct reports' skills,

·????? increase self-awareness,

·????? manage stress,

·????? increase communication and decision-making skills,

·????? get clear on what to do

·????? act and stay focused

·????? achieve their goals?

All the best!

Allison