Decisive moments change lives

Decisive moments change lives

"When that decisive moment smashes you in the face, do you freeze, pack up your suitcase or stand your ground and do what must be done?" Franco Cianflone

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Thirty-four hours later and seriously jet lagged, I landed in Cairns, gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

What an amazing place located in the tropical far North of Queensland.

My time in this beautiful place was only five days as I was participating in a mentorship program.

Prior to the last day, my mentee suggested that I visit the Great Barrier Reef. He said, “If you don’t see the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll have missed the majestic beauty of Australia.”

“Next time.” I said.

“Seriously?” he prodded.

That same day I reluctantly booked the tour and it was slated for the next day. Everyone boarded the catamaran and we set sail for the Great Barrier Reef.

During the two-hour sail, I met a young lady who was studying to be a teacher. We had a great discussion as she was asking numerous questions about my teaching career.

As we approached the reef, the helmsman asked if we wanted to swim to the reef or use the dinghy.

I wasn’t a seasoned swimmer so I chose the dinghy as the catamaran neared the reef. Besides, there were shark looking creatures in the water.

Before long, everyone was having a blast snorkeling and experiencing an array of beautiful coral and marine life.

What a sight!  

I thought that I would explore the sand dunes area first before snorkeling. I remember what the helmsman said about this area.

He said, “Don’t go past the roped off areas on both sides as it is an automatic $10,000 fine and you can’t leave the country without paying it. "

This area of the reef was a protected bird sanctuary filled with so many beautiful species. It was breathtaking beyond words.

Later as I was snorkeling, I noticed that the young lady that I met on the catamaran was out past the shallow area and was beginning to drown.

I was probably twenty feet from her at the time.

My first instinct was to save her from drowning however a stingray was right in my path.

I remember hearing about the unfortunate death of Steve Irwin and my reptile brain sprang into action with all kinds of red flags and alarms.

Now adrenaline, epinephrine, and cortisol hit me like a bolt of lightning.

My rational brain was saying, “You know that it won’t touch you if you don’t give it any attention.”

Without hesitation, I immediately swam towards her and brought her to the shore.

As soon as I reached the shore, one of the catamaran crew attended to her.

That was a day that I will never forget.

Thank God for that decisive moment.

So, what’s the lesson in this story?

When that decisive moment smashes you in the face, do you freeze, pack up your suitcase or stand your ground and do what must be done?

This is the lesson that I learned that day as I moved forward with my goals.

Get rid of the naysayers & believe that you can do it.

These people are everywhere.

They are piranhas in your midst.

They love to kill your dream, your goal, or your aspiration.

I am not telling you not to do your homework.

Do your research.

Investigate all options.

After it’s all said and done, you need to make a decision.

Not making a decision is making a decision.  

If you are not strong, confident, and inspired by a burning desire, you will pack up your suitcase at the very first obstacle.

Criticism will bombard you from people who were supposed to be your friends or even loved ones.

As you begin to gain momentum in your quest for your success, the same people will fade into the sunset or begin to take notice.

Now, how many people can really survive this uphill battle?

Most of them have already packed up their suitcase and moved back to status quo lane. You see it’s comfortable there.

Nobody is going to ridicule you as everyone is on an even keel. Don’t rock the boat.

Do your job.

Do the best that you can with what you have and then you die?

I don’t think so!

There is more to life than the latter.

When you strive and work towards something huge in your life you feel alive and vibrant.

Every single cell of your body says thank you to you.

You will think that you’ve had enough but something inside of you is pressing you to move forward.

What is it?

It’s that burning desire within you that is seeking expression without, regardless of present circumstances.

Next time that decisive moment appears, do what must be done.

Carpe Momentum

Franco Cianflone

1 ON 1 COACHING

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Mental Toughness For Life

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