Water has been used metaphorically in works of art, from stories from the Bible to today’s literature. The allegory of fighting nature’s might while drowning in turbulent waters had been widely depicted in works of art for the span of humanity, from stories in the Bible to modern-day literature and visual art. Drowning is an embedded human fear, and drowning dreams are something we have all experienced. It is our subconscious exercising loss of control and can be brought on by stressful experiences we may have gone through personally or witnessed otherwise. These dreams could be triggered by a physical or emotional encounter we had undergone, a movie or a news segment that may have hit us hard, or a conversation that left us with layers of stress.
The pace of our modern life today is faster than it has ever been. Technology allows individuals to work more efficiently and powerfully, covering greater responsibilities with better insight and higher output. These abilities bring along greater demands for input (informational, organizational, and physical support), and create high-tension work environments even in fields and jobs that were seen as low-key not long ago. This trend is not limited to the professional realm and is characteristic of our personal lives as well. Just think about social media and electronic communication. In all, our lives are a long-distance swim through turbulent waters, where some days are reminiscent of the analogy that opened this post.
I have written before about ways to deal with challenges that arise from these kinds of tension, and you can find them on my blog. I have talked to clients and heard them compare their work environment as a force of nature they find themselves crumbling under. Some consider quitting, others fear being fired for their perceived failure under the demands of the job. The same challenges are found in personal paths; family life, relationships, and marriages. You know what it’s like. We have all been there.
These turbulent currents and the way they force our heads underwater is a sign of our time. Giving in to these forces may be an option, but it could result in a loss of investment such as time, training, confidence, and position. Accepting defeat will almost always lead to the degradation of professional achievement, and will make it harder to maintain a similar level position following such a failure. There are several ways to prepare for and circumvent such a fate.
Developing a keen sense of self-awareness and having a good grasp of your position is key to staying afloat. Using a healthy common sense and reliable network that could alert and prepare you for any overwhelming situations that might be forming is a must. When prepared for and successfully managed, these situations can be an opportunity for learning and growth. The oncoming wave might look dangerous and overpowering, but once it is overcome it becomes a ripple in your past, one that prepared and trained you for the ones that will follow.
Navigating life against the daily challenges imposed on them by personal and professional demands requires key sensors and apt configurations to keep an even keel.