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“Get Cold, Wet, and Sandy!”

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A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of interviewing David B. Rutherford, a former US Navy SEAL. David now dedicates himself full-time to building his company and educational message to the world through TeamFrogLogic.

I began reading his book Frog Logic Field Manual for Adults: Self-Confidence before our interview. I am still reading it.

Click Image to Purchase the Kindle version of the Book from Amazon.com

Last week, I had the opportunity to join a Boy Scout Troop-of which I am a volunteer- to their summer Scout camp. My schedule did not allow me to spend the whole week with them but I did enjoy my three days with them. During my time with them, I was able to observe their behavior and their social interactions with each other and with new acquaintances. In between accompanying them to their classes, I was able to get some work done remotely. During one particular afternoon, I was overwhelmed by considering my obligations, both in my family and business lives. As I sat in the relatively new mess hall, I was able to observe a couple of our newest Scouts in their intense class. Their instructors were managing a group of roughly 30 prepubescent young men and working to keep their short-attention spans. The  mess hall's retractable walls didn't help them as they communicate an unobstructed view of the surrounding vegetation, direct sunlight, and ceaseless activity and bodies in motion. Even from within the shade of the structure, we could still feel the effects of the pervasive heat upon us.

As I sat there, I continued my study of the Frog Logic Manual. I read a section of the book that struck me (even now as I recall & write this):

Step 2 – Start everyday Cold, Wet, and Sandy

Wake up. Go straight outside. Turn on your hose. Dowse yourself with freezing cold water. Lay down in a pit of beach sand or whatever you have outside. Sugar Cookie yourself from head to toe. Start your day…

Metaphorically speaking, what do I mean? Life is going to challenge you every day, especially if you want to make a real impact in the world. The problem with so many people is that when they face the slightest bit of discomfort it ignites a chain reaction that eventually leads to a small explosion of fear. This is why humans are so readily accepting of self-induced comfort zones.

Then he drops this golden nugget:

In order to eradicate Comfort Zone Behavior you must get your physical, mental, and spiritual self totally conditioned to function in any environment possible. This translates to being cold, wet, and sandy.

Reading this passage at that precise moment, in that location, with my mindset then, and with its impact, rocked my world! In fact, it pushed me to do an impulsive 1 mile-run…at a 6,000 ft. elevation in boots, with a bum knee, and in 100 degree Fahrenheit at 3pm. I'm glad I did it. In fact, I was about to give up as I approached a hill that proved to be the peak of the trail. I had to slow my stride and concentrate on how badly I wanted to keep moving. I dearly wanted to stop…well, my legs wanted to stop and so did my heart (my heartrate was up there). I had to consciously drown out any thought that was telling me to do anything other than finish that run. I remember vocalizing the words, “Cold, wet, sandy!” I had to push myself to finish…and I did!

The irony of this run was that the message which prompted me to impulsively hit the trail, brought me to the hillside-outdoor chapel where individuals could overlook the valleys and wilderness below. A wonderful breeze helped cool me  down as I lay there on one of the benches. As I lay there contemplating the singularity of Life and my pursuit of experiences, I resolved to regularly make myself uncomfortable by getting “cold, wet, and sandy”.

What can you do today to take yourself out of the comfort-zone of conformity? Are you willing to really pay the price to make your dreams a reality or do those dreams simply provide a momentary escape from reality?

In any event, I'm gonna get cold, wet, & sandy here shortly. I hope you'll do the same…for your sake, not mine.

 

-David SafeWater

 

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