Yacht Races, The Comfort Zone & Strategic Partners

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When I exhaled I could see my breath. The rain pounded down around me as our boat made its way toward the Olympic Circle and the deep water course. How did I get here I wondered?

By now, I’m so far out of my comfort zone I would need a map to find my way back. People don’t realize how shy I am. I am very good in one on one situations, but I hate small talk and I am horribly awkward at meaningless exchanges.

I’m on a boat with a handful of people I’ve never met before. In this situation, I’m hiding behind my clipboard. I’ve worked on Race Committee before, and I can go the entire day like this without really talking to anyone.

I’m the sort of person who stays close to their family and has a close network of childhood and college friends. I’ve also developed close ties with my neighbors of twenty years. However, it is only now that I am meeting people with true common interests through my company and the sport of sailing. Through these I’ve met some spectacular people that share both my love of adventure and my commitment to the environment.

Recently, I’ve teamed up with a company called Boomarang to manage my online Vintage Ocean SF store. The management is almost exclusively French and they are a very hard working group of people. Already, I am impressed with the time and thought they have put into our partnership.

While I was on the water my partners were in Berkeley programming the site. I replied to their questions between races. Afterward, at the yacht club I sat at the bar texting and emailing the French technology company and others. Having spent hours on the water put me behind even on a Saturday.

A woman I met on the Committee boat came over to me and whispered “You need to put the phone down and mingle.” This was the last thing I wanted to do, but I took her advice. I met new people, and ran into people I already knew. Did I feel uncomfortable? Yes, it’s easier to be surrounded by the very familiar.

There are certain moments like these when we are able to let go of the past, set our sails, and as the wind fills in feel our forward motion.

Love and blessings to all.