Back in the old days, the rudders of huge transoceanic ships were attached with cast-steel necks. The reasoning was that by making them from one of the strongest materials known to man, they would last longer.
But whenever the rudder hit a rock, the neck would break because it was so rigid.
Nowadays, the rudders are attached with flexible rubber hosings, because although it’s nowhere near as strong as cast iron, it’s more flexible and ultimately lasts longer.
And flexibility is what I want to talk to you today. How you can increase your flexibility so that adverse circumstances don’t break you, and make full use of life opportunities!
The buffer zone – what stands between you and utter despair
Nod along with me if you ever ran out of toilet paper while on the toilet. Yes? Then nod again, if you thought something like “Oh, s***! Why didn’t I buy more toilet paper? I’ve seen it running out ages ago! Damn, damn, damn…”
Hopefully, your story had the same happy end as mine – I found a pack of tissues in my pocket.
Anyway, my point is… the time to buy toilet paper isn’t when the last roll is just about to run out. You naturally create a buffer zone. If you go buy new toilet paper when your second-to-last roll runs out, you’ve got a buffer zone of one toilet paper roll (or an average 241 sheets, claims my toilet paper packaging). If an unexpectedly demanding… umm, you know… turns up, you’ve still got 241 sheets of toilet paper between you and utter despair.
Why keep a buffer zone
So you don’t think I’m completely obsessed with toilet paper (see Understanding (or why some people put the toilet paper roll in the holder facing the wrong way)), I’ll switch to a different example.
Savings.
Let’s say you’re working at a job you’re reasonably happy with. But a unique chance to earn a living doing something you absolutely love turns up. Your dream job… but you’ll first need to quit your old job and live off your savings for 3 months.
If you have 6 months’ salary in the bank, you’ll say to yourself “Hell, yeah!” (or “Helheim, yarrrr!” if you’re a viking), and go for it. Even if it doesn’t work out, you’ll have another 3 months’ savings left to find another temporary good-but-not-fantastic job.
But what if you’re living paycheck to paycheck? What if you can’t even afford to get ill, let alone quit, or your mortgage, student loan, car payments, and all the other bills will run you over better than an 18-wheeler truck?
Right. You’ll pass on the opportunity to get your dream job.
And that’s why a buffer zone rocks. It gives you flexibility.
(And great power comes with great flexibility.)
Like the rudder attachment, you can bend to evade adverse life circumstances, instead of running into them head on. With savings in the bank, you can look for a job you love, or take some time off to figure out what you really want to be doing. With extra toilet paper waiting, you can afford to skip shopping on Saturday if a really fun day-trip comes up.
Oh, and because your buffer zone gives you flexibility, it helps you build an abundance mentality. You no longer feel like money is horribly scarce if you always have several months’ salary in the bank – and that lets you relax about money, and thus earn more. (Abundance mentality is a funny thing.)
Keep a buffer zone. Flexibility rocks!
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