The Newsy Neighbour
January Issue #111
Article provided by:Marcy Field
Life disrupted! This happens when you fail
to shift gears properly before entering the next curve in the road. Reasons for
the upheaval may vary. Pushing a vehicle to the limits, inattention,
distractions, going too fast and lack of experience could all be contributing
factors to losing control. Learning and practicing good techniques come in
handy for the day you hit a slippery road or for when road conditions suddenly
change.
Cruising familiar roads is easy; however, it
can lead to complacency. Maintenance may be neglected and before too long,
performance isn’t quite what it used to be. The fascination men (and an
increasing number of women) show in high performance vehicles is evident in their
attention to the things that produce the best results.
This is a universal fact. Unfortunately, we
fail to exercise the same kind of diligence to ensure we perform at our highest
potential personally and professionally.
During the last couple of years, our world
changed dramatically. Many unexpected curves appeared, both literally and
figuratively, bringing disruption and dramatic changes for individuals and
humanity as a whole. Balance, along with lives, was somehow lost.
I was cruising through life in 2015, when a
serious motorcycle accident disrupted everything. Grateful to be alive, I
shifted gears so I could get back on the road. It was important to find balance
and perspective, especially since my life was in disarray and emotions were running
rampant at times. Instead of braking (breaking), time was spent recalibrating
my life. The way I think about and do things changed becoming fine-tuned through
expert input.
The world as we know it continues to change
dramatically, creating uncertainty regarding what lies ahead. There is a 50/50
possibility that it will be what we want. Can we change those odds? I believe
so. Are we doing things to prepare us for navigating the slippery or
unpredictable changes? I hope so.
Riding a motorcycle brought me freedom and
joy I’d never experienced before. Alone time gained new meaning, providing
fresh perspectives and took me places I normally wouldn’t go. On the road there
are many things a rider has no control over. Taking time to develop skills and
expertise develops a confidence and ability to respond in unexpected
situations.
Learning to steer smoothly, to shift positions
or with only the necessary force, to apply the right amount of pressure when
braking, to negotiate corners and to accelerate appropriately when coming out
of a turn all make for a smoother ride.
The same is true in life. Personally and
professionally, it is valuable to gain an understanding of the different physiological
impacts occurring and learn skills to help navigate them to achieve greater
success. The New Year provides a great opportunity to shift gears, do some
recalibration and enhance your performance.
Bends in the road ahead are guaranteed.
Conditions may vary: perhaps rain, snow, black ice, grease, unexpected debris
or obstacles. Do not hit the brakes as the road curves, under any circumstance,
as you could spin out of control. Learn to maintain a balance and maneuver through
or around. The results could be more than survival. It may be a whole new role
in this journey we call life.
“You only live once, but if you do it right,
once is enough.” Mae West
You
are invited to join Now Matters facilitators at their next workshop – Shift
Gears: Recalibrate in 2017 Saturday, February 4 at Chestermere Rec Centre to
discover more
No comments:
Post a Comment