08/26/24
Years ago when I was a sales manager…
One of the directors gave advice to all of us managers.
He said…
“Be like a duck! On the surface, you look calm, relaxed, and confident…even if underneath, your feet are moving rapidly.”
At the time…
I thought this was great advice.
I can show people that I’m handling the pressure really well…
Even if underneath…
I was struggling, stressed, or feeling overwhelmed.
Now…
I realize…
This is TERRIBLE advice.
Why?
Because it suggests we should suppress our emotions and fake being okay when we’re not okay.
So I’ve come up with a better analogy.
Don’t be like a duck…
Be the water underneath.
On the surface…
It could be rough…
There could be rain, wind, storms…
But the water underneath remains still.
The water underneath observes the surface with detachment.
The water underneath is unaffected by what’s happening on the surface.
So don’t be a duck, my friends.
Don’t put all the pressure on yourself and feign peace, calm, and happiness.
Instead…
Be the water underneath.
Allow for whatever’s happening on the surface to happen…
And learn how to be unaffected by the everchanging currents.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to NOT be like a duck)