Heavy in business and life is how things feel lately. No matter where one sails, one finds significant challenges spanning numerous aspects of life simultaneously. To succeed in business and life, regardless of circumstances, I have found it important for me to lighten up. It takes some of the weight off. Besides, when it comes to business and life – just like water – you would rather not be unnaturally heavy.

Tomorrow is World Water Day. Let’s celebrate! The theme this year is Water For Peace. Why? Because sharing water resources leads to peace while hoarding water can cause the ultimate water damage - war. Apparently, water never got the memo that the world is split into nations with borders that are taken very seriously. It is a curious thing. We have erected borders to compartmentalize a natural world that – come hell or high water – won’t cooperate. How is compartmentalizing business and life impacting you?

It rained in Chicago last week. It felt like outside was anything but a happy place to be. Yet, if it never felt that way, if it never rained, we wouldn’t enjoy the lush greenery we see every day in this incredible city. I have found resisting rain to be unfruitful. Water is needed for life and without rainy days from time to time, things do dry up. Learning to embrace rain consistently is where the magic begins.

Did you know it takes about 90,840 drops of water to make a gallon? And, a milliliter is made up of 20 drops. So, a drop ain’t much. Yet, somehow drop by drop, things can change dramatically in business and life. With each droplet something different starts to emerge – for better or worse. When you stop and think about it, these tiny collections of water molecules have everything to do with business and life.

A fishing town in Portugal has a very famous beach. It is where monster waves come right up to the beach before crashing. There are few places in the world that rival Peniche. Some incredible barrels there lead to surfing so good the beach is worthy of an international competition held annually. Never heard of it? I assume you haven’t. I hadn’t either until recently. After all, there are millions of beaches around the world. Sometimes someone has to tell you about something spectacular so you can discover it.

The experience of your experience matters. How you think and feel later about how you thought and felt back then is what you dwell on over time, isn’t it? Look closely at the holidays of near or yesteryear and see what you find. Found what I speak of? Where are these thoughts and feelings? Though we can’t yet pinpoint them medically, they are somewhere in you – your soul, your mind, and your body.

Imagine Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, and Whoopi Goldberg are teamed up against Chris Rock, Anne Hathaway, and Joaquin Phoenix in a water polo imbroglio. You might call that “Star Wars”, right? But no…that would be the Space Movie Drama that has nothing to do with pugnacious stars. So, what’s in a name?

On December 12th, Intern Management: Principles for Designing an Exceptional Internship, the second book in the Agile Internship Book Series, will be released in the Amazon. So today we share from its Acknowledgments section. Esteemed Japanese author Ryunosuke Satoro said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” That ocean is bound together by kindness and acknowledgment.

It snowed last night in Chicago. Did it where you are? Yes, Halloween was cold and slushy. Brrrrr! Naturally, I got to thinking all about snow – you know, water’s frigid costume and winter attire – and how it relates to business and life. This led to a snowball effect of thoughts and ideas that will surely assist you in getting out of any winter blues you may already be feeling lately.

I love going to the beach while listening to music and hanging out with family and friends. Wake up in the morning, pack a cooler, grab a football, set up the beach chairs, and struggle to get the umbrella up. Life is… great? One does not have many worries, responsibilities, or obligations. What a great getaway.

Our last newsletter was written by an exceptional intern. He highlighted the essence of water and how it relates to interning. Thinking back to it, I feel that so many expressions in business invoke the essence of water quite well. Let’s set sail to sea what we see…

Water, an elemental force revered in Chinese culture, holds profound symbolism and plays a significant role in life. As I embarked on my internship journey at Agile Rainmakers, I discovered connections between the importance of water in Chinese culture and the transformative nature of my internship. Let’s delve into the depths of Chinese traditions and uncover the wisdom that lies within internships and personal growth.

The tallest waterfall in the world is Angel Falls in Venezuela. It’s over 3,200 feet high. That’s nearly two One World Trade Centers stacked on top of each other. Laos’ Khone Phapheng Falls are the widest in the world at 6.7 miles! In Niagara, approximately 681,750 gallons per second of water flow over the Horseshoe Falls – nothing compared to Congo’s Inga Falls’ 11.22M gallons per second! What exactly does all this have to do with business and life? Everything.

The 2023 Summer Riptide internship program at Agile Rainmakers wrapped up a fantastic, memorable two months on Friday. The passing of my extraordinary father midway through made it extra challenging emotionally for me. Thank you for all your condolences. I am working through it. Now what? And, how does what’s next relate to our ubiquitous, abundant friend, water?

After reflecting on my first month at Agile Rainmakers, I came to a realization; much like the mechanisms that allow for rain, this internship is a cycle.

Water can make a road slippery, rust a ship, and damage a basement. Water can also provide enjoyment for swimmers, reflect beauty, and sustain life. You could say that water is highly skilled. It knows what to do in every situation without being told. And, it does it the same way every time. It is reliable. Mapping this to our summer interns, let’s explore in this multi-part series skills developed in Agile’s Summer Riptide program.

One of my favorite sayings is, “Life is won in the last quarter inch.” When I manifest that phrase, I feel the power of a race. There I am, going fast toward a finish line in no time. But how fast, how far, and for how long? This is where speed, measurements, and time come to play. Without them, what have you got in business and life?

I recently had an insight about business and life that left me gobsmacked. Paying attention to this under-appreciated aspect of our lives will make all the difference. The opportunity I saw in really thinking about this insight left my mouth watering with a taste of all kinds of possibilities.

Serving and learning together, our newsletters twin and twine water, business and life. Over the years, it has been fulfilling, especially when the often-overlooked ubiquitous aspects of the three are highlighted together. They tend to intersect beautifully to allow for countless eye-opening perspectives. So, on this fine day and with these scant words, what savory awareness leaps to mind?

You know how there are things you feel deeply about regarding business and life that you wish others felt? Some things come naturally to you and you wish they would for the people you work with. Furthermore, how often have you realized there is a thought ravine between you and the people you want to get on board with your ideas? There must be ways to get your message through. How do you bridge this mental valley?