Stop drifting, start paddling.
Our lives are being shaped every day through action – and inaction. I recently read a quote that I loved: “What you don’t change, you are choosing.” Action requires discomfort and discipline which often leads to inaction. We become paralyzed by the journey in front of us, when, all we need is to take one step. When we opt for inaction, we surrender. When we opt for action, we get to where we want to go.
Imagine sitting in a kayak. You’re perched above the water not far from where you started. You have several miles until you reach your destination. All that you have dreamed of is there, but you know you will have to work for it. Your body will be tired, and it won’t be easy.
You start paddling. You are motivated and full of energy.
Your upper body starts to burn and so you slow down and find a clearing of calm water. It’s easy here. You stay for a few minutes and close your eyes for just a moment. You can feel the sunshine on your face. You feel good. You open your eyes and see that you have drifted.
You paddle to re-gain your positioning, although it’s a new spot. You’re a bit further away.
You continue to paddle to catch up to where you were. You fight the slow, rhythmic waves that are rippling towards you. Your body is becoming more fatigued. You slow down. You drift.
A boat approaches you. You can see the white-tipped waves evenly trailing behind. The driver veers right to avoid you and you catch each rippling wave of the wake. You paddle with the waves to avoid resistance which leads you in a different direction. You re-gain positioning again. This time, you are much further out but you are “fine.”
Another boat approaches. And another. And another. The breeze begins to pick up, too. You repeat.
The sun is beginning to drop in the sky. You peek at your watch, and you are surprised to see how much time has passed by, and yet, how much further you still need to paddle. You question the glory of your destination. You are so far away now, you think, “I don’t even know how to get there anyways” and “I’ll never be able to make it. I can’t do this.” You look for reasons to find contentment where you are. After all, you are still “fine.”
You have lost your motivation, and all you feel is discomfort. Your back hurts, your shoulders are burning, and you are thirsty. You drift further.
Getting to your destination seems impossible now. You are unsure how to navigate to where you wanted to go, and so you settle for where you are. You continue to drift and hope that your kayak drifts you to exactly where you hope to be.
But does it?
No.
It never will. The kayak will continue to drift if you don’t paddle.
Many of us drift in life. We passively sit and let life happen to us. The waves, the wind – it carries us away. We wait for opportunities to fall into our lap. We let fear and intimidation prevent us from showing up. We stop speaking up. We stop chasing our passions. We care for others without caring for ourselves first. We adopt the mentality, “What’s meant to be, will be” or “It’s fine,” and surrender to the waves that guide us aimlessly.
We often see our dreams getting further and further away from us. As a child, they are crystal clear. Our imagination is firing off on all cylinders. We are capable of anything. As we grow older, we feel more disconnected from our dreams. We begin to negotiate our way out of them because we accumulate self-doubt along the way. We become buried with reasons and excuses why we are not worthy. We fear discomfort and failure. We lose our vision, and ultimately feel stuck in the “every day.”
This is where visualization helps. Visualization drives action. It paints a clear picture of our desired state and being – who we are, how we feel, what we’re doing etc. We become so intimately familiar with our goals that they become a possibility. We can see them. We can visualize them to life. The clearer the picture, the bigger the breakthrough in changing our subconscious minds to change our behavior.
Much of what we do everyday lives in our subconscious. We are programmed for efficiency. The process of creation and new mental imagery challenges this. When we tap into the deepest layers of our imagination, we create new neural pathways which lead to new thoughts and new actions. These pathways require constant nurturing and re-conditioning. Consistent practice is key.
So how do you practice visualization? Take my hand and join me on August 20th with Jeff LoVecchio.
Jeff will walk you through proven visualization techniques that have helped him climb to his own success from a career in professional hockey and to entrepreneurship, today. We will talk about the subconscious mind and how we can overcome the status quo to our own version of greatness.
This 60-minute event will include:
A real-time visualization practice
Real, raw discussion
Q&A
You are invited! Unlock your potential with us.
Spots are limited.
SPEAKER BIO
Jeff LoVecchio, a St. Louis native, and creator of GMBM (GIVE MORE BE MORE), has earned an impressive 10-year career in professional hockey first signing with the Boston Bruins; he has traveled the world increasing his ranks through Italy, Austria, Norway, and Asia. Today, as an Entrepreneur and Performance Enhancement Specialist, Jeff owns RIPT Hockey and is a Co-Host of the Hockey Think Tank podcast. He has a passion for functional movement, developing top talent, and creating excellence on purpose.
Follow Jeff on Instagram: @jefflovecchio
