It’s been a while since I posted a blog entry but my recent near death experience canyoneering in Utah made this all too relevant not to share. Ok, so maybe I wasn’t so close to death but it was a close one and brought home an invaluable lesson about staying focused. I was on a Manventure for my buddy’s bachelor
party in Zion National Park, Utah earlier this month. If you’ve never been and want to see some beautiful red rocks, nature for miles.
So, there I was… dangling 50 feet up in the air while rappelling down the deepest canyon when a big bag full of heavy ropes hit me on the back of the head. I was naturally shaken but I focused on every detail of my hands grabbing onto the ropes as I continued my descent. It wasn’t the fastest drop but I was just happy I was still in one piece!
I often talk to clients about how important it is to stay focused and not get distracted by what might go wrong when you’re in the middle of an important task. Even though being hit in the head was jarring, taking my focus off the rope because of my fear would have only turned a small headache into a trip to the hospital or worse.
If you’re tacking a big scary task that requires lots of concentration like taking the GMATs, tackling that big scary test, or you’re in the middle of that presentation for your new boss, it’s all about staying focused and not letting distractions into your consciousness. Don’t let your fears get the best of you. Remember, you are in control. Breathe, focus intensely on the smallest details of the task at hand and let everything else go blank. Don’t let a little thing into a big one by loosing your cool and most importantly…Don’t Look Down!
Good luck out there and see you on the other side,
Alex
