Excess baggage

This week’s theme involves ‘scraping away the barnacles’.  Most of us are weighed down by excess baggage, both physically  and emotionally  We have ‘blind spots’ and we need to consciously set time aside to rigorously inspect all aspects of our lives to make sure that we are the best we can possibly be in every domain or ‘stream’. 

In ‘Management Mess-ups’ Mark Eppler provides an excellent metaphor.  Walking along the beach in Ireland he noticed that the fishermen were not out fishing that day, but had their boats upside down on the beach.  He was curious as they were losing a day’s income.  He asked and they explained that one day a year they keep their boats on the beach, turn them upside down and scrape them.  It still didn’t make sense.  They went on to explain that they needed to ‘scrape away the barnacles’.  Now he was really intrigued and asked more questions.  The explanation was that over time, the barnacles gradually multiply, building up under the boats, weighing them down.  Thus, if left unattended, the increasing weight of the barnacles would result in the fishermen using up to 40% more fuel to reach the fishing areas.  In addition, the boats would be much less manoeuvrable. 

Doesn’t that sound just like our lives?  We use more energy to achieve our goals and our decreased agility means that we are less likely to recognise and move towards opportunities.  In addition, the heavier our burdens, sometimes the harder it is to move away from threats or negative situations.  So, we need to take action – Now!  But first, we have to ‘see’ through our ‘blind spots’.  Film director, poet, healer, fellow coach and cherished friend, Naahid Nakidien describes this beautifully in ‘Challenges’. 

Challenges

In darkness we sit,

Too scared to see

We’re all afraid to face

Those challenges we need to meet

Deep inside we find

A scary patch of fear we hide

 

Feelings despondent

Too scared to act

Answers to find

Too scared to embrace

Veils to lifts

Too scared to see

 

Crying,

Almost Dying

Always Lying

As we reach in vain

 

The time has come to tackle those demons one by one

The silence needs to find a voice

That’s been paralysed by fear all this time

 

Reach out with vigorous appeal

To release this anxiety

Courage,

Pain,

Sincerity,

Dig deep and take one step to reality.

 

Crawling,

Sitting,

Standing

Stepping out

Reach to the world with eyes that see

 

No more secrets

No more confusion

Only determination and full responsibility

To accept each new challenge

One at a time.

 © Naahid Nakidien

If you’d like more information on ‘leadership development’ or ‘executive coaching’ please contact me - brenda@146.66.90.172, Phone: +27 33 3425432, Mobile: + 27 82 4993311.