Lessons from an Albatross
Dr. David Rafeedie
There is a popular metaphor that goes something like this when you are facing something negative; “Fill in the blank is like an albatross around my neck.” In other words, blank is a major burden you have to bear. It comes from Samuel Coleridge’s poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, about a sailor who kills an albatross and is forced to wear the dead bird around his neck as punishment. Apparently, albatrosses were considered good luck. Who knew? And because the sailor killed the good luck bird, around his neck, it went.
Of course, an albatross can be a metaphor, but in reality, it is a large seabird. Some have a wingspan of 10 feet! When it comes to looks, think giant seagull. They don’t take off like a normal bird. They must get a running start, like an airliner on a runway. And the takeoff looks awkward, to say the least. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKTfcs6LL6A
And if you think the takeoff looks awkward, landing is a real adventure! https://www.hngn.com/articles/133983/20150928/albatross-glory-learning-fly-crash-landings-crazed-mating-ritual-dance.htm. Somehow, they survive the crash landings. They are better on the air. In the air, they are graceful. Albatrosses cannot stay in the air 100% of the time. They must land, and after they land, they have to take off to get in the air. It doesn’t look like they do either of those things that well. But they do them well enough to keep them flying. I wonder if it is embarrassed around other birds…just kidding.
Like Albatrosses, who take off awkwardly, crash land, but are graceful in the air, we have our strengths and weaknesses. If we could operate in our strengths all the time, we would be rock stars. People are cheering us on, in awe of our performance. I know I am mixing my metaphors. I figure if the Apostle Paul can do it, I can too. And no, I am not comparing myself to the Apostle Paul, only to his use of metaphor.
But sometimes doing the things that are not our strengths is necessary. We must take off and land if you will. We must do those things so that we can soar. It is true; our strengths are easier to work in because we have probably mastered them. It is harder to work in our weaknesses because we probably are not great at them. Hey, that is why they are called weaknesses! It takes more energy to work in our weaknesses, and it is more stressful.
Like the albatross, who must do what it is weaker at before it can soar, we must work in our weaknesses at times so that we can soar.
What are some lessons we learn from an albatross?
Taking off can be awkward. The endeavors we begin don’t always take off smoothly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of businesses fail the first year, and 50% of business fail in the fifth year. Starting anything can be difficult or awkward. It could be your first speech or presentation. It could be having to perform at anything when you don’t feel like doing it.
Soar with your strengths. Work those strengths! Enhance your strengths. Do professional development. Do the things you do well and do them often. Your strengths are your “wheelhouse.”
Work your weaknesses well enough for you to succeed. You completely ignore your weaknesses at your own peril. I realize this goes against current conventional wisdom. I agree you don’t want to focus on developing a weakness into a strength. But it is not a bad idea to work on your weaknesses. You have to function in your weaknesses well enough to help you succeed.
You can survive a crash landing to fly again. Sometimes we run into snags or hard times, and even possibly a catastrophe. At least, it seems like a catastrophe at the time. Remember, you will survive to soar again. As a man of faith, I rely on my relationship with the Lord, who promises renewed strength and the ability to soar like an eagle (Isaiah 40:31). Yes, I know an albatross is not an eagle, but both soar pretty well.
Feeling like you have an albatross around your neck is something that can be overcome. It is not the end of the world even though it may feel like it.. Some strategies designed around the lessons above will remove that carcass from around your neck. Feeling like you have an albatross around your neck is a temporary state of being. There is no way that is a permanent experience. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel if you look for it (yes, I know I just threw another different metaphor into the article).
What is the albatross around your neck? What are some first steps to rid yourself of that bird around your neck? Here is an idea—call me.
Coaching is a transformative relationship that can help you take off, land, and soar. Email me at info@davidthecoach.com, or text with a good day and time to call you, or call me 520-709-1860, and let’s have a conversation to explore a coaching relationship.
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