Okay boys and girls, it’s boating season! This means another
season where Ol’ Skipper Hudson shares tips a’plenty with ye land lubbers.
(This is how real sea-men talk.)
Now, first up is my most recent adventure in “letting” my
wife see how to properly launch the Sea-Doo. Figured I start her off slowly. As
I skillfully back the trailer – since that’s man’s work – I can tell she’s
impressed by the way she is faking boredom.
My plan was to back the Sea-Doo in the water, let her hold
the bowline whilst I park the truck, then gallantly mount said craft and ride
to our dock just a couple hundred yards away. Simple enough, right? Done it a
hundred times, right? Yes, but one thing
changed. Just one.
And this one thing changed everything in the universe.
See, to be helpful and “sensitive” – since as all who cross my presence know that I emanate
sensitivity – I added a much longer bowline. That’s because I didn’t want to
back the trailer into the water and have the super-short, manly version of
the bowline pull my wife into the lake, since this might greatly accelerate the
reading of my will.
Admittedly, and with very soggy hindsight, I probably
should’ve tied a Boy Scout-approved knot for this extended bowline. But, well,
I was, you know, very busy being all sea-like and manly, and had to back the
trailer and, well… something happened
that I’m not all that proud of.
My wife is standing there holding the Sensitively-Extended
Bowline as the Sea-Doo gracefully slid off the trailer. Perfect. Yet, the knot
for said extension was a little too
sensitive and scarcely even slowed the craft as it became completely untied.
From the truck, I can see she is now holding a thoroughly limp
rope watching the Sea-Doo escape. This is when I used what might’ve been a
colorful expression in a “non-inside” tone of voice. (Now I know why those
sailors have a reputation for their language: bad knots.)
Since I’d only been planning a short journey on the Sea-Doo,
I was in blue jeans, so when I jump in the lake, a sixth of the lake’s entire
mass was instantly absorbed into my pant region. And though my mind was saying,
“Race toward your gallant and errant steed!” my legs were saying, “Whoa. When
did you put on 600 pounds?” It seemed a fair question.
I eventually captured the craft by its short, manly rope and
trudged back toward the ramp, clearly having saved the day.
Yet, my wife is staring at me, holding the other rope that
now looks vaguely noose-ish, with a look that seemed to say, “You have the
sense of an under-achieving gerbil”.
She dutifully got into the truck, nodding her head in a
disapproving and superior fashion. Clearly, she failed to understand that my
launching lesson included this meaningful demonstration on “What Happens When You
Tie a Dumb, Ineffective Knot”.
Epilogue:
The Sea-Doo and I made it safely home. And after 4 days in a
solar furnace, my jeans dried out (though lake levels are still down). Then I
reflected that any change in “routine” can summon the Gods of Practical Jokers
to greatly alter the outcome.
It is this way in your “routine” of work, your “normal”
drive home, your “normal” safety routine or a “normal” job that goes completely
haywire. (And by the way, The Gods of Practical Jokers often make sure if ONE
thing goes wrong in the routine with a customer, seven more you’ve never
experienced happen with the SAME customer.)
The real lesson is to watch your addiction and complacency
to routine. What is worth changing to achieve a better outcome? What have
others experienced with that change? Maybe it’s time to extend your reach. But
if you do, please double check the knot.
Happy Boating,
Adams Hudson
Questions for You:
1)
What have you recently changed in your “normal”
routine of business? Was the outcome good, bad or still on the learning curve?
2)
What routines of yours need changing? Are your ad campaigns old and crusty? Salespeople
presentations gone stale? Does your website have cobwebs on it?
3)
Is your Social Media marketing nearly
anti-social and not really marketing? (In other words, are you still wondering
when the leads are finally going to pay off?)
Send any answers (or other questions) to coaches@hudsonink.com.
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