Don’t Drift

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving -- we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

And the trouble is, if you do not risk anything, you risk even more.
- Erica Jong

To drift through life is to play a passive role and bob with the waves while allowing the currents to take you where they may. Drifting is the converse of being proactive and results from a failure to move in a specific direction.
Imagine a sailboat on the ocean. The captain isn’t sure where he wants to go so he doesn’t raise the sails. Instead, he retreats into his cabin to figure out what he wants to do, leaving the rudder unattended. With no one on deck to steer, keep an eye on the weather, and watch for hazards, the boat drifts aimlessly.
By abandoning the helm, the captain has allowed the winds and currents to determine his fate. He is at risk of colliding with another vessel, hitting rocks, or running aground. Even if he should happen, by some good fortune, to arrive safely in a port, it’s not going to be a destination of his choosing.
In order to avoid drifting, the captain must have a planned route or destination and actively steer his boat. Although he may not have a long-term route planned, the captain needs to at least know the next port he wants to visit. Once underway, the captain is obligated to make whatever decisions are necessary and take whatever action is appropriate to stay on course.
Making decisions on a daily basis in your life may not carry the same sense of urgency as if you were responsible for the safety of a ship. This leads to a false sense of complacency that can lull you into inactivity. It’s often the exception when you are facing a deadline for making a decision.
When you are confronting a situation where you are not sure what to do, it is easy to procrastinate. You may have even heard someone say that they are waiting for their ship to come in or for things to get better. Life is not a lottery where you can sit back and hope to win.
When you do nothing, nothing happens. Or when something does happen, it is probably not what you wanted. Time is not on your side; it goes by much too fast to spend it waiting. Inaction does not protect you from making the wrong decision.
Fear is a common cause of drifting. Fear of making a mistake or fear of not knowing what to do. Sometimes it’s fear of adversity or fear of failure. Withdrawing into your captain’s cabin provides you with a sense of security, albeit false. You can not float through life and expect to be satisfied where the currents take you.
Decision and action are the antidotes for aimless drifting. You need not fear going in the wrong direction. You are free to alter course whenever and as often as necessary. Taking an active role in your destiny creates a positive momentum. The more you make decisions, the easier it becomes.
Today is a good time to take control of your ship and stop drifting. Start with taking action on any situations you have put off or avoided. Once you have tackled one issue, move on to the next. It’s infinitely more satisfying to begin taking charge of your life rather than waiting to see what happens or where you wind up.