I have a marketing consultancy helping me to get my brand out there, and recognised and relevant and showcased and <insert other marketing lingo here>. I called my Dragon (the company is called Dragon Consulting), so she would be flattered and not insulted, she also has a thing for dragons, and told her that I am really frustrated. No hits on my social media, low impact on coaching, what’s happening with this and that? She then gave me the best advice and I took a big old swig of those dragon fumes and was inspired to write this article.
She said “everything is up in the air for everyone, people are not sure when to spend what and what to do with when. We are UP in the air, so just chill”
She is so right this Dragon of mine, this Dragon from all seasons and this is what I have learnt about UP in the air:
1. Go with it
There is very little in the “up in
the air” we can control, we can’t always control what happens around us globally, we cant control how others will think or behave and we certainly cant control how we are perceived by others here is an illustration:
2. Patience butterfly, patience
Was it Mr Miagi who taught that kid to wax on and wax off and paint a fence? I am referring to the movie The Karate Kid for all you millennials and gen z’s. The protagonist wanted so badly to become a karate champ because he was being bullied, so he meets this old sensei dude, who in the first few weeks teaches him nothing about karate but only how to clean his
car and paint his fence in a particular way.
Later in the movie, we learn that those techniques were excellent blocking moves for karate. So, right now while things are “up in the air” know that you are -whether you realise it or not- working on a set of skills. Patience? Pivoting? Visualising? Relaxing? Baking, when we can step out into the light again like some dystopian movie ending. It will serve you well.
3. Dream and dream BIG, scary BIG – HUGE!!
My first article was about visualisation when things are up in the air and there is uncertainty around, nothing stops your imagination from going on that cruise, finding that ideal partner, banking that deal, planning that party- you’re already up in the air, why not picture a cloud into a shape.
Then write that dream down and go get yourself that dream! Nothing is stopping the planning and dreaming while “Up in the air” before you know it, you will miss being here – this is also a great time to get to those goals, hobbies and business ideas you dreamt of when
you were not “up In the air” How do you make a space themed party? You PLANET. Dream then plan.
4. Connect
You know those friends you have not seen in ages, have a zoom party with them. Catch up with the teenager in his/her bedroom (ask permission to enter first) talk to the people you are “up In the air” with, we are all in the same sky but our balloon houses are all different. Chat to the people in isolation with you, the neighbour (social distantly of course) and connect just CONNECT. Speak about how you feel in the “up in the air”
I will end again with quote from my favourite author Dr Seuss who refers to “the up in the air’ as “the waiting place” as follows:
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That’s not for you!
Somehow, you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Feeling stuck in “Up in the air” or balloon strings in a knot?
Email findme@thechangelab.co.za today and let us untangle you
PS – Thank you Dragon
once more you’ll ride high!