“We have all heard this euphemism Sink or Swim. Obviously as business owners and managers, we should be focused on swimming (succeeding), but what happens to us when conditions are turbulent? We can’t touch the floor? We can’t see the bottom?”

Sink or Swim? I think I’ll swim…

As I was working on my article for this month the euphemism, Sink or Swim just kept coming to mind. While on vacation with my family in Mexico I experienced a near panic attack. I was swimming in the beautiful blue waters. I am a fairly good swimmer as long as I can touch or see the bottom. On this day the beautiful waves were breaking close to shore and you didn’t have to go far into the ocean before you could not touch the floor or see the bottom. I was enjoying a refreshing swim, until my husband said he was going in, I told him I was going to stay out a little longer and float but I couldn’t seem to do that, the waves and current were pulling at me from every direction. I began to head into shore but felt like I was just swimming in place. Luckily my husband was still close by so I called to him for help. He immediately saw the panic on my face and told me to calm down and breathe. He offered me his hand and we swam in together.

We have all heard this euphemism Sink or Swim. Obviously as business owners and managers, we should be focused on swimming (succeeding), but what happens to us when conditions are turbulent? We can’t touch the floor? We can’t see the bottom?

Can we fathom the possibility that swimming under such conditions feels a lot like sinking, and in those moments what are we focusing on? Is it that I am sinking, or is it that I need help swimming? Is it complaining, and panicking about sinking, or is it figuring out how to condition ourselves and use all of our resources to stand up to the current?

Most of what I read and what our society is immersed with speaks to panic and the sinking feeling. Well I for one do not accept that. I believe we live in a world were there is no scarcity of opportunity. I believe some businesses are just out there complaining about everything that is wrong and blaming others. They are literally wasting precious energy and focused is in the wrong place!

I believe that the secret to the success of a business, especially in tough economic times, is two-fold. First the owner and/or manager must have a steadfast belief in the viability of their business. Second the owner and/or manager must acknowledge that the most valued asset of their business is their employees and that in order for their employees to swim (succeed) they need conditioning by way of training, development and coaching. This conditioning is essential, especially when the environment is challenging them every step of the way. This is time and money well spent which I know does not return void.

My passion is to collaborate with business and individuals to discover, ignite and actualize their highest and best self. I know when you invest money in your employees you will see the fruits of success no matter what the conditions are like. You will swim!

Reprint from Brownsville Chamber of Commerce Newsletter, October 2009