Anchors get a bad rap. They’re associated with the things that weigh you down and keep you from taking flight. But what if anchors are the things that keep you grounded in order for you to soar?
Soon after moving to Okinawa for my first assignment in the Air Force, I found myself in tears in front of my boss. At that point in my life, I was not much of a crier so this even caught me by surprise. I was trying to find my footing as a freshly minted second lieutenant in a new country where I didn’t know anyone. My boss was very kind and helped me work through what was behind the tears.
I was missing two anchors that I needed in order for me to take on the new challenges in front of me. Challenges I wanted to overcome to launch my career as an intelligence officer.
My two anchors were:
⚓️ An organized home base – I needed time to settle into my apartment so I could rest and recharge (hello fellow introverts)
⚓️ Friends! – Ones who chose watching Grey’s Anatomy in PJs on a Friday night over drinking at the bars
Once we unpacked what was causing my tears of overwhelm, it seemed so obvious. These have always been anchors in my life. They fueled my confidence to take on some really tough, yet really rewarding, challenges. Bringing awareness to them and naming them was key to making sure I drop my anchors every time I find myself in new and uncharted territory.
So maybe anchors aren’t so bad. They are strong enough to keep you grounded and light enough to pull them up when you sail into a new season of life, your priorities change, or you change. Anchors keep you grounded so you can soar.
