Anchored

It all started with one word - “anchor”.

That one word among the rows and rows of text was the one that caught my eye as I was reflecting on something that I’d read earlier in the week.

Naturally, the ensuing Google search started a thousand epic quests of its own.

It even triggered a robust WhatsApp group discussion 😆 with my family.

And racked up quite a bit of information on anchors, symbolisms, and meanings.

Some, of which of course, being the more common ones:

• A device, normally made of metal, used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current.

• A TV anchorman or anchorwoman.

• Someone or something that gives support when needed.

• An ancient symbol of Christianity.

But there were a couple that I hadn’t had an inkling of whatsoever. One was the “anchor synonym”:

• https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Anchor Synonym

Which happens to be a term used in search engine optimization (SEO) and refers to a word or phrase that is used as a clickable link to direct users to another webpage or section within a webpage.

• While in financial accounting, an anchor is an estimate used to determine the value of an asset.

Since I am neither an expert in SEO nor accounting, I shall let those sleeping dogs lie.

Nonetheless, there is a whole discussion about ship or boat anchors, their importance, and how they need to be used properly over at Quora 😃 if you’re up for it.

But what really caught my attention on the matter at hand was this quote by Richie Norton:

For some unaccountable reason, it hadn’t occurred to me before. 😅 

“Those anchors need not be permanent fixtures.”

In the context of faith or relationships, that may sound iconoclastic or even heretical.

But this is not my point.

The point is that ships lift their anchors, venture forth, and then secure them again before moving on.

I suppose it would be wise to iterate that Richie is an author and successful entrepreneur. He has been featured in Forbes and Inc., magazines, Bloomberg, and the like, and comes highly recommended by Jack Canfield.

He has also endured more than his share of personal tragedies.

So, when someone like this speaks, I tend to listen.

Today, we keep hearing of the frustrations and unfulfilled dreams of working people all around us.

Rather than being tethered, stagnant, or overwhelmed by life's challenges, Richie encourages us to reconsider our approach to living and working.

For example,

• Where time management is touted as the cure for productivity; Richie tells us that we can and should practice “anti-time management”;

• How we can identify our top priorities and brave up to honor them;

• The smartest people in the world know that in order to achieve success, they will sometimes have to do things that others may initially perceive as stupid.

• The fact of the matter is that the smartest people in the world don't run from stupid, they lean into it (in a smart way).

7 Things That I Learned

• Anchors, whether for ships or in life, aren't meant to permanently hold us in one place.

• Instead, they provide temporary stability, allowing us to journey effectively.

• In life, our anchors, like relationships and values, should empower rather than limit us.

• We must be willing to temporarily release these anchors to grow and embrace change, just as ships do to explore new horizons.

• Our anchors become sources of strength, offering security and stability while we take risks and expand our horizons.

• By accepting their temporary nature, we can fully embrace life's journey and seize every opportunity.

• Just as ships use anchors for navigation and exploration, we can harness our vision, hopes, and values to empower us to become our true selves.

Recommended Reading

Deep dive into Riche’s thought process with these 2 books:

1. The Power of Starting Something Stupid: How to Crush Fear, Make Dreams Happen, and Live without Regret - Richie Norton

2. Anti-Time Management: Reclaim Your Time and Revolutionize Your Results with the Power of Time Tipping - Richie Norton

Final Words

If most people are like me, then we tend to wait in the shallow waters for the right time, the right opportunity, etc. that never comes.

Because it stems from fear of the unknown.

And one that’s perfectly understandable.

But we also know deep down inside that massive change cannot take place if we choose to remain anchored in the shallow waters.

The anchors in our lives are not meant to hold us back or limit our potential.

Instead, they should empower us to venture out into new territories and experiences.

We need to put out into the deep - to go beyond our comfortable shallow zones and take risks in order to achieve greater things.

Remember:

“Anchors aren’t meant to ground ships forever. Ships pick up anchors, sail the seas, go where they want, and then settle down again.”😃

Till next time.

 Jude

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