9 Essentials for Being Grounded

Being grounded is a fundamental competency when you’re riding a motorcycle. Generally, when tires lose contact with the road surface, special moments are about to unfold. Enjoyment and safety are inextricable. Staying grounded requires skill, good judgment, momentum and balance.

Being grounded

While the motorcycle paints a vivid example, it also illustrates the importance of being grounded when it comes to other areas of our life.

Acquiring skills for whatever we’re about to do not only develops proficiency, it makes the whole experience more pleasurable

 

9 Essentials for Being Grounded

 

  1. Technical skills. Fundamental skills on a bike are balance, braking, shifting gears and cornering. As well-meaning as friends and family are, the best way to learn is from a qualified instructor. When it comes to our careers, staying current is important. We can shorten the learning curve considerably by taking professional development courses from subject matter experts.

 

  1. Rules of the Road. To stay safe, we need to know the rules for the environment we’re operating in. Whether we agree with them or not is immaterial. When we put ourselves in a situation, we accept personal accountability for being there.

 

  1. Self-care. Operating a motorcycle safely requires that we’re physically fit, alert, have good motor skills. quick decision making capabilities and sharp cognitive skills. Invariably, looking after body, mind and spirit build a healthy foundation upon which we can build our lives, no matter what area of life we’re talking about.

 

  1. Appropriate gear. Safety gear is there to protect us and we hope it is never called into action. In life, we protect ourselves from negative thinking, opinions of others and destructive emotions.

 

  1. Planning. Whether we decide to go around the block or around the world, any journey requires research and preparation. This doesn’t mean every move has to be detailed but it’s a good idea to know what to expect and plan accordingly.

 

  1. Relationship building. The relationship between a motorcycle and its operator requires a healthy respect for each other, excellent communication skills and responding constructively to what the road delivers. The same thing applies to life. Acting from love rather than fear is always more constructive.

 

  1. Staying current. If not used, skills get rusty, whether we’re on a motorcycle or in a job. Taking a refresher restores our skills, confidence and gets us back up to speed more quickly.

 

  1. Understanding the hazards. On the road, we know we have to watch for traffic, road conditions, animals, kids, weather and a variety of changing circumstances. Sustainability and profitability in our careers require us to understand trends, market conditions and technology. Once we understand, we can prepare.

 

  1. Growth. We didn’t learn to ride a motorcycle just to go around and around our block. But riding further required us to gain confidence and push through our comfort zone. Similarly our human spirit seeks growth, even though at times it may be uncomfortable and we have to push ourselves. Once we do, we discover more about our strengths – and interest – leading to greater fulfillment.

 

Whether we’re learning to ride a motorcycle, taking advanced skill training, changing jobs or considering a new interest, getting the appropriate grounding keeps us safe, develops confidence and creates fulfillment.

 

Related Post: Life Lessons from Motorcycles: 7 Connections for Being Grounded

photo credit: Auntie P via photo pin cc

About

Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.

2 Comments on “9 Essentials for Being Grounded

  1. I finally have high speed internet at home and can spend hours reading blogs and such.
    So the downside of being at HU last week was that I have an intense case of wanderlust (and I am only home a month after 2 months on the road).

    But I decided to brush up on my skills as per #9 in your “grounded blog” but . . . . . I chose the wrong place/ wrong tires. While practicing gravel road riding on my new tires (sport bike tires) I hit a reverse camber curve with loose gravel and even if you are up on the pegs a la Clinton Smout et al, too fast is too fast and I launched bike and moi into a freshly ploughed farmer’s field! I did all the right things and kept it upright although it felt like the 650 was buried to the hubs! After a short chuckle I rev’d up the baby and with a rooster tail of flying dirt I was soon back on the road.

    The following morning I noticed that a car had gone off the road at the very same place and obscured my single track of embarrassment!

    • Glad you’re OK following your harrowing experience! Lessons were learned – and you’ve got a great story! Thanks Robert.

      Liz