Are you Sailing the Deep or Docked in the Harbor?
I live in Southern California - a fun weekend is to go to the coast and watch the boats sail in and out of the harbor. We grab some lunch, enjoy the sunshine and have conversation. Watching the boats, and the people I have noticed three types of sailors.
We are Docked - But we are Sailing
The first group of sailors - it's a Friday evening -- we watch them roll in with their Tommy Bahama shirts, designer sandals and Gold Rolex watch on their tanned wrists. They load up their boats with groceries, and ice chest filled with amazing beverages. They have fresh clothes packed for the entire weekend.
But, they sit on their boats -- in the dock. They eat, sleep, sunbathe all weekend. The music is playing, they use their cell phones to keep up with all of their social media. They chat with their sailboat neighbors in the adjacent boat slip. They are have having a grand ol time. On Sunday, they unpack and go home.
On Monday morning, at the office a co-workers asks. "So, Bill what did you do this weekend"? Oh, we went "Sailing" it was great.
The Safety of the Harbor - But we are Sailing
The next group of sailors - it's a Friday evening -- they load up their boats, just like the first group. They are ready to go sailing. They take the boat out of the dock, and cruise through the harbor.
The harbor is a nice safe place. Boats come in and out, all at safe speed. As the boat approaches the edge of the harbor leading out to the open ocean, the sea seems a bit rough. It looks so uncertain - a little scary. The ocean is so vast, what if they run into trouble. The captain just continues in the harbor, makes a few loops, then returns to the dock.
On Monday morning, at the office a co-worker asks, "So, Joe what did you do this weekend"? Oh, we went "sailing" it was amazing.
Sailing the Deep an Adventure to Remember
The next sailor - loads his goods into his vessel. He is confident, he has experience and has sailed the sea many times. He has trained and studied he is prepared to sail. He pulls up the anchor, and cruises through the harbor. As he gets to the edge of the harbor he heads out to the open sea.
Continuing outward toward the horizon, into the deep. He is prepared, he knows the weather, he has studied his charts, he has trained and has experience. The deep is like home to him. Trouble does come now and then, but he is prepared. He has a radio to communicate and using it when necessary.
When troubles arise, he learns from them. He always builds on his experience, and enjoys the open waters.
When he gets to the office on Monday - "So Tom, how was your weekend"? We went SAILING, and it was SPECTACULAR.
Are You Docked in the Harbor - or Are You Sailing the Deep?
In your internet marketing business here is the reflective question. Are you docked in the harbor, were it is safe? Maybe working on your website once and a while. Doing a training lesson here and there or maybe not following any of the training at all - fooling yourself into thinking you have an internet marketing business.
Or are you cruising the harbor, getting to the edge and afraid to venture out in to the open waters? Or are you doing some lessons, but not completing all the tasks required. You are still dabbling, afraid to really venture out. You are right on the edge just a bit timid to enter "the deep".
Or do you set sail with your internet marketing business. Taking all the lessons, following the steps. Are you serious with your training. Do you take action when the lesson calls for it. Searching the archives of Live Events, watching old webinars - attending current webinars. Do you leave comments for others, do you offer feedback on others sites. Do you welcome new members. Are you entering the deep? Where trouble can loom, but relying on your training to get you through the tougher times.
If you are docked in the harbor, there is plenty of room out in the deep. If you get in a moment of distress help is only a radio communication away. All the Best.
So Tell Me
I'd like to know. Do you think that you docked, in the harbor, or sailing the deep with your internet marketing business? If you are not sailing the deep, what is holding you back? What are your fears of the open ocean? Note: You are safe in WA, all of the sharks are on those "other" training sites, lol.
Recent Comments
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spectacular!!! yes, incredible post! and just as amazing observations and how it relates to us all..... just got back from a trip to the coast - we live in NorCal - I don't get in the shark water past my knees, scares me lol... but it is beautiful.. anyway, really enjoyed reading this!
WA though - I would say in the harbor but working my way to the deep... that is where I want to be - what holds me back? this is new, I am not totally confident yet - but working my way, article by article.....
thanks so much for the comment. remember help is only a radio communication away, and WA will send the Coast Guard to help you. (just staying in character, lol)
Great analogy! I really enjoyed this post. I am sailing the deep, although probably slower than many due to the fact that I have children to take care of, homeschooling, and a part-time job outside the home. But I refuse to go back into the safe zone!
Thanks, it was my first post that in WA or on my sites, that I whipped out in 10 minutes, no outline. Just a whimsical thought. It was fun. Keep pressing along.
Here is a great quote from Theodore Roosevelt. I love this one.
"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Enjoyed reading your fun & f-Smart post immensely! ... clipping along out in the big blue deep sea -- accompanied by dolphins swimming in unison ... just anchored for awhile to pause in reflection... thanks kindly for sharing & posting, all the best & cheerio... :)
p.s. just around those hidden coves, be cognizant of 'pirates' in those warm balmy waters! ... lol... :o
wow, thanks for the great addition. I'll see you on the open sea. I have already dodged a few of those pirates. and my bank account is happier for it. Lol
Clever post!
We are out there in the deep, knowing we have the radio if necessary. We have sailed the deep sea before with our own offline businesses; some succeeded, others not. But we are experienced sailors and we take our ship out of the safe harbor, taking our charts with us (the training and tools).
We shall see you out there, full sail ahead, on the open ocean with us!
Full sail ahead. I too have been hit with the boom, while standing at the helm. But, I dust myself off, and keep sailing. Relying on my charts to get me to my destination. Thanks for commenting.
Greta post and analogy, also a reminder to all of us about what our purpose or goal is here at WA. We can all learn from and be inspired by it to focus and to fully immerse ourselves in the training and other learning resources here at WA which are critical for our success.
“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Cristoforo Colombo
Thank you for your input. There is a lot happening at WA, I agree it is important to stay focused. Awesome quote, thanks.
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I would love to be in California. Right now I am having problems with my anchor, it seems to be stuck and I feel marooned.
If you are having trouble with the anchor (Neptune's Dues) call on the help of WA members, together we have strength and can release it and get you on your way.
Thank you.