Pilot your life Welcome to issue no. 4 of Pilot your life. October 2009 Are you a participator or a spectator in life? During my travels in Arizona and Utah this year I rafted on the Colorado River and rode on the Durango & Silverton Railroad which winds its way alongside the Animas River. Several of my photos prompted me to think about the way we journey through life. In the two photos below, the river guide is doing all the rowing, with the others just there for the ride (spectators drifting along with someone else deciding their course).
In these next two photos, people have their own paddles and are right in the action (participators steering their own course).
Which group do you identify with, the spectators or the participators? Are you quite happy to go with the flow and let someone else control your destiny? Or do you want be in control and tackle the challenges that life throws your way? It’s true that sometimes you do need to be a spectator and relax and recharge the batteries, but there is no direction. It’s like flying in a balloon which goes wherever the wind carries it. When you participate, there are fears to be overcome and challenges to be met but the spirit is invigorated and you grow as an individual. In other words, you are the pilot in command of your own life navigating your way to success.
Pilot your life There’s another way of looking at these photos too, particularly if you’re a manager with staff. There are two styles of leadership here. One, where you do most of the work, the direction is solely yours and staff members are just there to follow orders (spectators). There’s no real involvement, responsibility or motivation on their part and participation is sometimes not encouraged.
The other, where you are the leader, but you have a proactive team and staff members are stake holders in the direction of your business (participators). Your work load and stress are lessened, people are empowered to be creative and innovative and you’re all literally in the same boat where everyone’s actions determine whether you sink or survive.
So, another great tip for how to pilot your life (personal or business) is: Be a participator not a spectator Participators paddle their way through the rapids and spectators wind up in the whirlpools. Two of my presentation topics are: Teamwork Personal development For another superb view of floating down the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, email me at fran@franwest.com and I'll send you a photo which you can use as your desktop wallpaper. Visit: www.franwest.com Phone: 61 8 82706623 Email: fran@franwest.com for speaking engagements, purchases and the first three issues of the newsletter.
Pilot your life To enjoy more stunning scenery while you're waiting for the next newsletter, the “Utah Rocks” Screensaver is available for only $9.95. 20 photos highlight some of Utah’s best known treasures like Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion and Arches National Parks and many more – a visual delight. Order now from fran@franwest.com. You are welcome to forward Pilot your life to others who may be interested. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you by someone else, please contact me at fran@franwest.com and I'll add you to my emailing list. Bye for now,
Australia's Life Pilot Speaker, Author, Adventurer
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