A young traveler was preparing to hire a boatman to cross a sea as storm clouds gathered. Most of the boatman refused to take him from fear of the storm. But hen he noticed an older boatman, his skin was sun baked and leathery for wind. He was calmly preparing his vessel for sailing.
The young traveler asked the old boatman, "How can you be so calm with the storm coming?"
The boatman smiled as he tied another knot in the rope. "People put their trust in the weather," he said. "I don't." He looked out over the darkening water. "I trust my experience."
The traveler frowned.
"I've crossed this river in sunshine and in squalls. I've learned which rope to pull, which sail to lower, when to row, and when to wait. I cannot command the wind, but I have spent my life preparing for it."
"So you're never afraid?"
"Oh, I'm afraid whenever the river deserves it."
"Then why aren't you overwhelmed?"
The boatman dipped his oar into the water. "Because fear asks, 'What if the storm comes?'" He pushed the boat gently from the shore. "Experience answers, 'Then I'll do what the storm requires.'"
The traveler looked at the gathering clouds. "So your confidence comes from knowing the storm won't sink you?"
The old boatman shook his head. "No. My confidence comes from knowing that whatever the river becomes, I know the next thing to do."
Do you know what you put your confidence in? How secure is it?
How coaching can help:
Understand what I means to put your confidence in the right things and how to gain the experience necessary to build on that.
