4 life lessons I [re] learned from surfing

4 life lessons I [re] learned from surfing

 


We spent Labour Day weekend in Tofino/Ucluelet. Since I started dating a surfer, it’s become a tradition to head up there for aIMG_3633 few days before we get back into fall routines. Lots of good times are had, hanging out at the beach, campfires, guitars… you get the idea. 
This was maybe my 7th or 8th time surfing. The first time was so long ago I don’t really remember it. I went twice in South America (Peru and Uruguay), both times with an instructor, and then a couple more times in Tofino. I’m still not very good at surfing. Put me on a snowboard and I’m great; I’m also pretty decent on a wakeboard, but

when it comes to surfing, my fear of getting pummelled by the ocean waves takes over.  

Last weekend I had a mini breakthrough with my fear of surfing and realized a few key lessons, that apply to life and business. 

 

Usually I keep to the shallows where I can stand and hop on the board when I feel ready to paddle – once I catch a small wave, I can usually stand up and ride it, which is fun, but I spend a lot of time fighting through waves and then panicking trying to paddle quickly to catch something to make it worth my while.

 

It was Sunday afternoon and I had done some playing around in the water, when Matty asked if I wanted to go out with him. I said okay, a bit hesitantly.

We fought our way through the white water. When we got to the bigger waves, he suggested rolling over so the board was on top of me and the wave could pass by (which sort of worked), then I scrambled back 2014-08-31 14.57.11-1up on the board and paddled feverishly towards the next approaching wave until we finally made it ‘past the break’.  Interestingly, it is much easier to paddle on a long board (what I was using) than a short board (what Matty was using) because they are more buoyant and light, despite their size. I watched Matty fall behind as I was paddling and I realized it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was (or I’m stronger than I think I am).

 

So here we are.. past the break and my heart is pounding out of my chest. I focused on deep breaths and noticed where I was – out with all the real surfers!

 

While we were chilling out, sitting on our boards, and Matty was explaining to me how to catch a wave I started thinking about all the ways surfing is like life, and business.

 

1. Your mindset effects your results and how much fun you have

as we were walking into the water I noticed the negative swirl of thoughts going through my brain. “I’m never going to be good at surfing,” “I’m too scared,” “It’s too hard,” “I’m not cut out for this sport,” “I hope Matty won’t mind if I never get good at surfing,” etc.  Wow. I don’t let my mind dwell on the negative in other areas of my life, why was I letting it happen here? I had to do a major check yourself before you wreck yourself mindset reset. Thinking these thoughts was immediately putting me in a self-imposed weak and victim-y position; no way to be if you want to charge after waves and stomp on them! I tried to let go of my limiting beliefs and focus on the positives: brilliant blue sky and sunshine above me, clean and beautiful water, sandy beach, the love of my life beside me, his smile… I started feeling better and I started enjoying myself. Huge win! Sound like life??

 

2. You have to get uncomfortable  

If you’ve ever put on a wetsuit, you know what I’m talking about. Especially one you surfed in yesterday that didn’t fully dry out. Sometimes the weather is depressing and horrible. Then there’s the first few steps in the water and the creeping chill of the sea water as it enters your wetsuit. The first dunk or pummel of a wave that sends saltwater into your mouth or nose. Sometimes you are tossed around in a wave to the point where you emerge feeling shaken, scared, and gasping for air. But without pushing through these uncomfortable moments, you can never feel the exhilaration of riding your first wave. Being uncomfortable is the only way to GROW.

 

Have you noticed how sometimes the preparations for a big career or business move are time consuming, annoying or difficult and because of that you procrastinate doing anything? Well, you’re certainly not going to catch any sick waves if you don’t get out of your comfortable bed, put on your wetsuit and get in the water and the same goes for life.

 

3. You have to be coachable

I hear this and say this all the time in my business. But was I applying it to surfing? Not really. When I finally opened up to the coaching being offered by Matty; listened and did what he told me, we made it past the break and I eventually caught a real wave.  This is a great reminder for me to check in on how coachable I am being in my day to day life.

 

4. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to get to the point of experiencing pure joy & bliss, and then things are easy

I have this weird belief that I have to work really hard to be successful. I am aware of it, and aware that it’s not entirely true, but it lingers and spills over into other areas of my life – like surfing. So here I am, struggling in the shallows with waves continuously crashing on me, too scared to paddle through them and thinking that I’m in a safer position closer to shore… when really, there is total ease and grace lying just past these crashing waves. I realized this as I sat on my board, watching the other ‘real surfers’ hang out, casually adjusting position based on the approaching waves, but pretty much relaxing. Why did it take me so long to get out here? But that’s how most of us learn. We do things the long, hard, stressful way first, and then when we finally listen to the people who know what they’re doing and become coachable, we can experience the joy and bliss of catching a wave, or achieving our dreams. No big deal.

 

Just in case you’re a rookie surfer like me, but ready for some tips and ready to expand your comfort zone, I found this video about how to get past the break 😉wave

 

Freedom isn’t free, but its worth it

Freedom isn’t free, but its worth it

 

EntrepreneurshipI’m striving for freedom, and I’ll bet you are too, but here’s the thing we have to realize: freedom isn’t free.

 

My freedom vehicle is a network marketing business. And like any business, it takes time, money, and effort to be successful. Lots of people join network marketing opportunities because it sounds easy and lucrative and its true that this business model offers many things that traditional businesses or careers can’t offer, but I suggest you watch this 3 minute video where Eric Worre lays out what it really takes to achieve freedom in network marketing.

 

Freedom may not be free, but the price is worth it.

Picture yourself five years from now. You are living in a beautiful, custom designed eco-home with the love of your life. You have a brand new electric car charging in the driveway. Your garage is full of surfboards, skis, snowboards, camping gear, hiking gear, and kayaks. All of your bills are paid and you know there’s plenty more money rolling in next week, next month, next year. You are planning the ultimate yoga and surf adventure in Costa Rica with your three best friends, and next year you are planning to hike the Inca Trail in Peru. You took a month ‘off’ this year to spend time with your brother and sister in law and your little nieces. Your days are full of adventure, fun, and meaningful work that you absolutely love. You work with people you adore and are inspired on a regular basis. You wake up in the morning and fall into bed at night in a state of blissful happiness.

 

 

Is your dream life worth 3-5 years of focused work? If your answer is yes, you are in the right place. And guess what, you can have a lot of fun while you develop your freedom plan. That’s what be:free is all about. We learn together, work hard, and have a blast while creating a lifestyle we love.

 

 

4 simple principles to create more freedom and happiness in your life

4 simple principles to create more freedom and happiness in your life

I first read The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, while I was backpacking in South America in 2013. (I Four Agreements coveractually listened to the audio book on the long bus ride from Cuzco to Arequipa).

It was one of those books I had heard about several times, and finally got around to checking it out. (The fact that it was one of the books on my new boyfriend’s bedside table provided some additional motivation, I’ll be honest.)

I absolutely think this little book is the key to better relationships, better health, more peace, freedom, and happiness. I am not religious or an overly spiritual person, but I’m definitely interested in expanding my spiritual awareness, so this book has become sort of a ‘code’ for how I live my life.

My friend Dave thought the Four Agreements were so important he had them tattooed on his arm.IMG_4884

What are the Four Agreements?

1. Be Impeccable with Your Word

Basically: have integrity. Do what you say you will do, as it relates to others and to yourself. Don’t speak negatively about others or yourself.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally

Get this: It’s not about you! It’s never about you! Other people’s actions have nothing to do with you. They live in their own reality and their words and actions are not related to you. When you let go of worrying what other people think about you, you feel a sense of peacefulness.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions

How many situations are made worse by assumptions on your part? Communicate clearly with others to avoid confusion, disappointment, and sadness. It takes some courage, but the rewards are great when you ask questions and express what you really want.

4. Always Do Your Best

Let go of the need for perfection and realize that doing your best in any moment is good enough. Some days your best will be better than other days. Know that you are in a constant state of growth and improvement and be kind to yourself.


What I’ve noticed since becoming aware of these four agreements is that I am more conscious of what I say and how I show up in my life. I think number 3 is the most challenging for me. It’s very easy to make assumptions, about everything! Any situation where I feel upset, worried or unhappy can usually be traced back to me breaking one of the four agreements. Luckily, I’ve gotten pretty good at living in a way where I rarely experience those feelings! Seriously, go share this book with the important people in your life and watch your relationships improve.

Experiencing more freedom, well-being, and happiness is what be:free is all about, and we love finding and sharing resources to help people do just that.

Your turn:

What do you think? Have you read the Four Agreements? Have you made a conscious effort to implement them in your life? What have you noticed?

 

This might solve the world’s problems


Yoga forestWhat if, instead of going to university, people did this instead… 

 

It occurred to me during the Victoria Yoga Conference in January you can’t toss a mala bead in this town without hitting at least one yoga teacher. Everyone and their mom is a yoga teacher. Your neighbour is a yoga teacher. Your interior designer has her 200 RYT. And get this: your accountant is even a yoga teacher! (Proof: I spoke to one at the conference). Yet, yoga studios are still offering teacher training and pumping out graduates left, right, and centre. The word insanity has crossed my mind when I think about this. From a business standpoint, it seems crazy. Think about it: yoga studios are actively seeking to train people who will most likely become their competition. Does this make sense to you?

Choosing yoga as an occupation doesn’t make sense from a business viewpoint. The numbers just don’t add up. But… from a human perspective, look at all the people who have stepped onto the path of body awareness and greater enlightenment through their yoga training. What an amazing benefit to themselves and humanity!

So there I am, contemplating this phenomenon when another idea pops into my mind…

…what if, instead of a Bachelor’s degree being the rite of passage into real life and the minimum requirement for entry-level jobs, more people were encouraged to get their yoga training? Imagine if more people were walking around with a keen awareness of their body, breath, meditation, mindfulness, the chakras, and human anatomy. How could that possibly be a bad thing?!  {full disclosure: I’m speaking as a non-yogi, however, I imagine these are the main topics covered in yoga teacher training…}

 

There’s a reason yoga has survived every trend over centuries

What I’ve noticed is that people who practice yoga tend to pursue a healthier lifestyle all around. I’m a huge advocate of people taking ownership of their health (no one can do it for you) – the world is a better place when people are healthy, and yoga encourages the same philosophy.

So, more yogis = we all win!  

But here’s the challenge: not everyone can make a living as a yoga teacher. The ones who want it badly enough and dedicate themselves to becoming an expert can and do, and many finish their training and don’t end up teaching.

Thats okay, they are on the path to a healthier life and are creating a positive ripple effect on the world around them.

When I do my teacher training (at some point), it won’t be to start a career as a yoga teacher, it will be to learn, deepen my practice (as they say in the yoga world), and improve my overall well-being. And, the knowledge and experience will be helpful in my wellness business too. In my business, I get paid to be healthy and the more personal experience I have in helping people get and stay healthy, the better.

 

I want to help yogis thrive. 

There is a fundamental challenge for yoga teachers (and many health practitioners) in creating a solid financial future: they are trading their time for money and many of them simply cannot teach (or fill) enough yoga classes in a week to make a good income. This is where be:free comes in. We help you diversify your income so that you can follow your passion AND be compensated what you’re worth.  Click here to learn more.

 

Your turn:

What do you think the world would be like if more people did yoga teacher training?

And if you’re a yogi, how are you finding it as a career?

 

My core values and beliefs

My core values and beliefs

2015-02-16 20.56.57-1It’s been said that you become the average of the five people you spend most of your time with. It makes sense and that’s why I’ve decided to spend time with, and work with, people who share my core values. They don’t have to be exactly the same as me (that could get boring) but there are some fundamentals that I think are pretty important.

 

Love your body

We get one body and it is our responsibility (and only ours) to look after it. I am jazzed to spend time with people who respect and love their bodies. That being said, I’m not a total health freak. I like to eat fries now and then. I love chocolate, red wine, cheese, and my all time favourite thing in the world is pasta. I believe in making good choices, almost all the time. My friend Andrea really nails this point in her blog.

 

Live by design

In other words, recognize the power you have to create your future. If life doesn’t look or feel the way you want it to, change something. I get annoyed with people who complain a lot, dwell on the negative, or act like they are a victim of the circumstances in their lives. I totally get off around people who understand they are in the driver’s seat of their own life. That doesn’t mean every day is picture perfect or that there aren’t moments of doubt, but to know that you really do have a choice, in every moment, about how to live your life.

 

Pursue freedom

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m kinda stoked on being free. And I fully realize that freedom looks different for everyone. I believe if more people feel free, both financially and in their well-being, the world will be a better place to live. And that means everyone wins! For me, the path to freedom includes self-discovery, a focus on physical well-being, personal and spiritual growth, and alignment with an entrepreneurial vehicle to provide abundant cash flow and free up my time.

 

Embrace unconventional education

Home schooling. Independent schools. Waldorf. I’ve been lucky to experience some unconventional education in my life (even before the snazzy stuff like un-schooling and hack-schooling came out!). No offense to all the great teachers out there (I was lucky to have some really good ones), but the public school system is broken. I believe we must seek out the learning opportunities that excite us and that some of the most valuable learning happens outside the classroom. I believe children should be celebrated for their uniqueness and nurtured into their brilliance if we are to create a thriving future for humanity.

 

Radiate positivity

The world needs as much love as it can get. Do what you love. Love yourself. Express your love. I don’t think its possible to overdose on love. A positive mindset has been my number one asset during the last few years of transition.

 

A few things I love:

  • Witnessing inspiration, growth, and transformation in others
  • Exploring nature and experiencing the world
  • Growing, cooking, and sharing delicious and nutritious food
  • Chocolate, red wine, and cheese (oh, did I mention these already?)
  • My family, my friends, and my man
  • MY DOG, Isik (aka my fur baby)
  • Dancing and music
  • Life

 

 

Your turn

What are your core beliefs? Have you ever taken the time to reflect on what your priorities are? Since we’re influenced by the people we spend time with… are there people in your life that lift you up and make you laugh? Are there people who suck your energy and bring you down? You choose who you surround yourself with – choose wisely.

 

If you’re looking for a tribe of like-minded people in your life, and this stuff reson
ates with you, awesome! You might want to check out what its like to work with us.