Resist the Drift

Do you ever feel "the drift?"

The drifting into getting flabbier and achier as the years go by; getting more and more comfortable with being comfortable; and finding yourself talking about “getting old”. 

The drifting into not marketing consistently; not making decisions that need to be made in your message; putting things off because of feelings about risk, uncertainty and doubt. 

The drifting into fearful, anxious thinking; into making worrying a thing that you identify with; and just doing what everyone else is doing because it's easier than deciding for yourself.

Resist the Drift.  

It starts in your 30s because you think you have more time. 

However, for me, "the drift" started in my late teens and early 20s. 

As a young person, the way forward in my career was anything but clear and guidance was "just figure it out on your own." 

(And that's when young folks start or intensify their partying as a way of coping. This can easily drift right into their 30s and turn into addiction.) 

Now in my late 40s, "the drift" is even sneakier and shows up in multiple places of my life: my health, my relationships and definitely my business.  

Can you relate?

If you're human, I'd say yes. 

For example, on Monday, my son advanced into a mixed age karate class that includes adults.

His prior karate class was a breezy, 35 minutes. 

Now it's one long-ass hour. 

So I sat there during the first class, on the uncomfortable benches and looked around: Grammies and grampies who are showing up and yet clearly struggling with their health. Some parents: many drop off and come back later, and those in attendance look exhausted and are on their phones, or watching. 

Me too. I'm tired. I want to just check out during that hour. Sounds great! 

Then the image of my dear childhood friend popped into my mind. 

She started running in her 40s, and she's now able to chaperone her kid's cross country team (you gotta run with the team). 

She told me how she decided that she was not going down as a parent who was there but not really “there.” 

Hmmm. 

I have to be here anyways. What will I choose? The bench with the infirm and exhausted? Or get in it? 

I decided right then only one option would help create "the future me" that's in her 70s and feeling alert, engaged and ready to create something new. 

So, I’m resisting the drift and joined the class on the next day. 

It kinda sucked and was definitely humbling. 

Being IN the Dojo (instead of on the bench) sent my brain reeling with thought errors like: "Go home! You're making a fool of yourself! You are nearly 47! Sit down with the other parents! 'm scared! Wait a minute, these kids hit hard! Gah!!!!"

And it was kinda fun too. Music was played; fun, yet challenging activities were had; the kids were a delight to observe and engage with (so fearless!); my son and I winked at each other often and giggled a knowing smile to each other;  I made new local friends I can now say hello to; and everyone was warm, kind, patient and welcoming. 

This is just what it's like to go for something new in your business. 

50% Gah!! 

And 50% Awesome!

Keep going. 

It's totally normal. 

Resist the drift in your business and create something so worth living for. 

For sure, it takes effort and brings you face to face with discomfort.

But it's  "discomfort with a purpose" vs the "discomfort from no purpose" (like feeling hung over after a night of over indulging.) 

Might as well choose the discomfort with an upside. 

I'm in it with you. 

Karin