Action sports have one thing in common.
Whatever you focus on, that’s what you move towards.
This rule applies to driving a motorcycle, mountain bike, surfing a wave, skiing down a slope, …. It is part of our R.A.S. (reticular activating system). Which can also be hijacked, ie. when i tell you to NOT think of blue elephants, what did you just imagine?
You are a skier.
Moving down a mountain slope, off-piste, zig-zagging in between the trees.
You skiing, is you doing the work, following your process.
The trees are your obstacles.
The valley down below, with the ski lifts and the bus stops and the hotels, is your destination.
Ie, business/personal goals, to do lists, …
Outside opinions/voices are split into two categories,
those who ski better than you and those who don’t.
What Do You Focus On?
Focus on the trees, your obstacles, you involuntarily steer into them and crash. Just like motorcyclists do when panicking at high speeds. Whatever you focus on, that’s what you move towards. (Some people might call this manifesting).
Focus on the destination and you feel frustrated. Why aren’t you down there already? How will you get down there? Your focus is on not yet having achieved the goal. You are pissed the whole way down and you forget to enjoy the views, the journey and the process of skiing down the mountain. If your mind is down in the valley, what is the point of getting up the mountain? Lack of a clear vision on how to get down to the valley (a path) amplifies the frustration.
Focus on what others are telling you, you grow uncertain and stop skiing altogether. If they’re better than you, it is fair to take their advice on the next round. If they are less experienced than you, or not even on the slopes with you, ignore them. Their advice does not account for the surplus of experience you have on them. Even if they are right, following their advice brings additional risk you didn’t have before.
Focus on the path, you have fun. Feel the air gushing by, the momentary weightlessness mid jump, the speed is thrilling. You love the views. You feel great. Life is amazing. You feel confident you’re going to make it.
Stop. Drop and Re-orientate.
Whenever you start anew, or feel lost. Take a break. Stop skiing. Re-orientate, define the destination. Grab a map and plan your routes, make note of B-routes or potential side tracks you might want to take. Make sure that everyone who is with you, is aligned with the new routes. Then you ski and stay focused on the path.
Having a clear, defined route(s) forward, towards your destination; eases anxiety, stress and frustration. Staying focused on executing that specific vision, and actively re-orientating focus away from obstacles towards a way out, the way forward, the path alongside, past the obstacle, helps you prevent crashes, brings confidence and enjoyment.
???
Frustrated? You either focus on the destination (and not yet being there) or you don’t know how to get there.
Re-focus on the process or double check your path leads to your preferred destination.
Anxious? You have no focus. You see everything all at once in a flat image where sequential time doesn’t exist.
Define your path in steps and remind yourself that not one person on earth can do everything all at once. Focus on one little bite at a time, don’t expect yourself to do all the slopes on your first day.
Stressed despite following the path? Something outside the process of skiing is off, ie. shelter, food, ski-pass, gear, … (Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs). This is a path within a path. You can’t be a successful entrepreneur when you’re uncertain about housing or food. Getting down the mountain is not one straight line. Nor does the day end when you get down.
Happiness Is The Default.