Back in the early 90's I was involved in an intensive leadership course that went on for weeks and weeks. One of my favorite experiences was the High Ropes Course. It scared the living bajeebers out of me! They roped us up and then one by one we had to lean over a cliff - kind of like we were going to take off like a bird. I didn't handle it well on the first try but by my 2nd try I realized that we were totally safe. What a freeing feeling looking out over a gorgeous valley 'flying'. Well not really flying but it felt like time was suspended.
A few years later when I was by then staffing and speaking at the course, one of the students (who was a pretty big guy) was roped up - AND had this idea that he was supposed to jump off and climb back up. OMG you can imagine our surprise when we saw him go over the cliff!
Thankfully he was just fine. He came up smiling thinking that THAT was the best thing ever! From then on we gave better directions about how High Ropes Course was all about Balancing Oneself and Life! Imagine that!
The 50 foot telephone pole was another one of my absolute favorite of the ropes course! We had to climb up the pole and then stand up on both feet, all the while the pole was swaying (seemed like a LOT of swaying) due to nerves! At the bottom of the pole I could hear everybody cheering me on and saying stuff like - you can do it Anna, go for it Anna. So I did. Once I got balanced I stood up tall looking out over the valley and thought WOW this is amazing!
What I forgot to do was reach out for the golden ring which was a couple of feet away!! Instead, at some point I lost my balance, tried to regain it but alas I could not. I remember thinking at the time that I had failed the exercise. But I knew I really didn't. I had many more chances to climb the pole over the years of teaching and staffing and it was a blast!
What I learned was the more I stayed balanced throughout the entire process, and kept my mind calm, I could accomplish anything!
I've brought it forward to this moment and from time to time when I need a little balance in my life I look at this picture - and remember the lesson. It's all about Balance and Staying Calm in every situation! And for those of you that know how much I've been dealing with lately this is a skill set that has come in very handy!
Friends over the years have asked me so many times - how do you stay so calm? I want to know your secret! And that's when I bring out the 'High Ropes' stories!!
What's my key to a successful life and business?
Staying Balanced and Calm!
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