The other day, I went fishing on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista, Colorado, where my daughter-in-law’s family owns a log cabin. Nothing fancy—just me, a lovely stretch of water, and my fly rod. As I stood on a dirt road—once an old railroad bed—overlooking the Arkansas, scanning for a good fishing hole, something caught my eye: a group of rafters floating down the river. I smiled and got back into my truck to drive a bit further upstream. But as I drove, I kept thinking about what I’d seen. These rafters weren’t just coasting. They were working hard to stay in one spot.
If you’ve ever tried to hold your position in a moving river, you know how much effort it takes. The current doesn’t care that you want to stay still—it keeps moving. And unless you’re paddling like mad or anchoring down, you’re going to drift.
And that got me thinking… how often do we, in life or business, waste our energy trying to hold onto something that no longer serves us?
The Hidden Cost of Staying Put
It’s natural to want to stay with what’s familiar. Whether it’s a job or a business strategy, there’s comfort in the known. But just because something feels safe doesn’t mean it’s still right.
Think about it: how often have you stayed in a situation simply because it was easier than facing the unknown? Maybe you’ve stuck with an outdated business model, a marketing strategy that no longer delivers, or a routine that’s just plain draining. You might feel like you’re in control, but really, you’re just burning energy trying not to drift.
The Case for Drifting
Sometimes, the smarter move is to stop paddling against the current. That doesn’t mean giving up. It means reassessing. It means asking: Is this still the right spot for me?
There’s real power in deciding to let go. In fact, the art of letting go is a concept widely explored in personal growth and mindfulness circles.
“Letting go is not about giving up, but rather making a conscious decision to release the thoughts, behaviors, or relationships that are no longer beneficial.”
And that decision can free up your energy for what’s next—what’s possible.
Where Should You Be Focusing Your Energy?
Whether you’re running a business or navigating life, ask yourself this:
Is holding on helping me or just tiring me out?
Am I staying in this place because it’s right—or just because it’s familiar?
What might open up if I allowed myself to drift a little and discover a new current?
You don’t have to paddle upstream forever. Sometimes the river is trying to take you somewhere better—if only you’ll let it.
