As I have embarked on this journey of creating my coaching business I find that I not only have started using the same language as when I go on an adventure out in nature but that I also get to lean on my experiences when being on a trip into the wilderness.
It seemed impossible to me to even consider going this direction as I knew nothing about the online world, about running a business, about personal branding or automated platforms. So I felt like it was not for me and too far out of my comfort zone.
But then I started to look at it like an adventure. Where the idea of exploring something new excites me! Where I throw myself into the experience knowing that there will be times that are going to be tough or unconformable, and where I have to accept that there may be certain risks. But where I also know that the experience is going to be so rewarding. For all the unexpected moments, especially making it through the tough ones. For the things I get to discover. About the world as much as about myself. For the people I get to meet along the way. For the sense of achievement as well as for the feeling of confidence that comes not only from making it through but from all the things I learn along the way. Most of all about myself.
I compare my experience of starting in the online world to my kayak trip I did two years ago in the US. Which also had started as a crazy thought but against all odds felt like something I needed to do.
I had been hiking through the Rockies for several months. Just as much a crazy idea… Something I had never done before but there I was with only my backpack hiking through the wilderness for days at the time. And had planned on doing that for several more months. But then that idea started in my head that I wanted to kayak back south when I reached Montana. With no real experience in kayaking other than on some calm canals in Germany. What did I know about rivers? American rivers? Rivers with currents, obstacles, rapids? Where would I get a kayak from? How would I coordinate it all? I had no car, no connections, no gear, was on the road… But for some reason I thought I could do it. I just decided that I would give it a go and see how far I would get. And I did!
So how was I so calm and confident about that but not when it came to starting my own business? But as with my kayaking experience I just decided to jump! To start. And then take one step at the time. Figuring it out. How to grow my own business. Believing in myself that I can do it. For the kayak trip I researched for the right boat and gear. And asked about the rivers and possible routes. And through that met people along the way who would help me or who even became part of my adventure. As is happening now with the community of entrepreneurs that I have become a part of and who I share with, who encourage me and help me to grow.
I didn’t know what to fully expect when I started on the river. I knew that there were risks involved. But all I could do was prepare as best as possible. Accepting that it could get serious, and that I had to be aware and cautious. But that I also had to trust my instincts. Knowing that things could go wrong but that I then just would have to handle them as best as I could.
And things did go wrong. I flipped the boat in a rapid and went under. I learnt that my life jacket would save me. But that because I hadn’t tied some things properly to the boat I lost some of my gear, including my camera. That I was shaky for some time after that. But also that I was okay.
Things also got tough. I paddled against the strongest winds that pushed waves upstream and through a sixty mile long lake…among many other challenges. But it is these experiences that taught me the most and that have made me the strongest.
So I relate them to the experience of growing a business where I will make mistakes, where I get to experience tough times, failure and rejection. Where I know that, like making it to the boat ramp at the take out, I will only succeed if I don’t give up and stay committed.
Where sometimes it will feel like a cruise and other times I have to paddle really hard. Where I can’t just give up in the rain, in the head wind or in rough waves. But that those are the times where I need to give it my all.
Where I don’t know what is around the bend, calm water or rapids. But that worrying about it doesn’t help. So that I best just really stay in the moment, take in as much as I can and just enjoy the ride.
Because being on the journey is the best part, not just making it to the finish line. Despite all the challenges this kayak adventure has been an experience of a life time. I learnt so much! I loved exploring. Pushing out of my comfort zone. Feeling the sense of achievement. Enjoying the camaraderie on the rivers. The freedom.
As I do with my journey now into the business world. It feels so empowering pushing through my own limitations, enjoying the process and how much I learn, loving the community I get to share and work with, facing the challenges, growing personally along the way, and creating my own future. Believing that I can do it!
Embracing being on this incredible adventure into a new venture.
WILDWONDER 