Navigating through tricky waters

I’ve always described myself as something of an optimist. I like being able to see the positives - both in people and in possibilities. I’m excited about new things - adventures, ideas, business opportunities.

STARTING A NEW BUSINESS IS EXCITING. THE UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES, THE NEW PEOPLE YOU MEET, THE COMPLETE UNKNOWN OF WHERE THIS IS ALL GOING.

I’m also a bit of a storyteller. I love using visual expressions to explain how I feel, so if you’re reading this, please humour me.

One visual I often refer to is “riding the waves”. To me, it captures the ups and downs of running a business well. When the waters are choppy, it can feel tough to stay afloat - the hard days, the doubts, the energy it takes just to keep going. But when you catch a good wave, whether surfing or in my experience body boarding, it’s such an incredible feeling, whether it’s been a really great meeting, a brilliant and insightful workshop, or even just the satisfaction of ticking things off my growing to-do list.

I’ve generally always been quite good at doing this: seeing the “bad days” as a difficult wave that I’ll get through and just hang on, as calmer waters and the fun waves will come. Lately, it feels like the waves have been a bit choppier than usual and it’s taken more of my energy to navigate through these choppy ones.

IN KEEPING WITH MY WAVE THEME, SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO ME REMARKED THAT RUNNING A NEW START UP WAS LIKE SAILING THE HIGH SEAS.

You’ve chosen this route, and although you’ve been advised it will be tricky waters to navigate, you set off sail as Captain of your ship. The highs in your journey are big and incredible but the lows are stormy and intense, and sometimes make you question everything. But in these times it’s important to let the beautiful moments be your anchor, and help guide you through as the storm passes.

Today, I feel more myself again - refreshed and ready to tackle challenges. Sometimes you need to stop pushing, sit back and let yourself be guided through the tricky waters. The reward is renewed energy, empowering conversations and the return of my “can do” attitude.

IT’S THE SAME MINDSET I TRY TO BRING INTO MY WORKSHOPS: HELPING PEOPLE SEE THE POSITIVES IN THEMSELVES, IN EACH OTHER AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD - EVEN WHEN THE WAVES FEEL THOUGH.

Here’s to continuing riding the waves! We’re off to Cornwall next month where I hope to progress from body boarding to surfing! I hear the waves in Newquay can be pretty crazy…

By Rebecca Ling