Sail On: Insights About Life and Leadership from Wind and Water

By Melissa Deveney

Is it possible to explain the secrets of life and leadership through the process of competitive sailing? You be the judge. Read on to unveil the mystery and power of what lies beneath the surface in your place of work, your family and your life. Learn how to shift with the ever- changing conditions of your environment and effortlessly ride the tide toward a more fulfilling life. Through its poetic tapestry, this book will help you learn to weave a team together into autonomous unity as it strives to achieve a common goal. With sailing as your guide, tap into seemingly hidden forces that will help you succeed in life and as a leader. Even though you can't change the wind, you can always adjust your sails. This book gives you the proper bearing needed to navigate rough waters and find your way to smoother seas where you can Sail On to archieve your greatest potential.

"Perfect for a rainy day, warm fire, and hot coffee ... it is GREAT! "

- Terry Hutchinson, America's Cup Skipper and Tactician, 2008 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, six-time World Champion and father of three.

"Melissa Deveney has managed to mesh ancient Eastern wisdom with insights and metaphors associated with becoming more attuned in sailing and in life."

- Dr. Tim Herzog, Licensed Counselor and Mental Skills Coach at Reaching Ahead, Former Head Coach at Boston College Sailing Team and self-proclaimed "nerd".

"Not only does this book insight a reevaluation of our world view... it suggests independent lenses through which life experience can be assessed as they are allowed to influence our own sense of self."

- William Mace, Retired Director of Electronics at NASA during the "Space Race", designer of the X-15 nose cone (the first of its kind to self-correct flight trajectory) and devoutly active member of the Episcopal Church.

"Melissa Deveney has written an easy to read, thoughtful book that is a must read for all competitive sailors. By following these concepts a sailor will excel using the mind to handle any situation the wind, water or competition throws at you. These helpful ideas should be reviewed before any major race."

- Gary Jobson, President of US Sailing, America's Cup Champion, US Sailing Hall of Fame Member, Author, ESPN Commentator, Emmy Winner and Lymphoma Survivor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483628110

Melissa Deveney

Melissa Deveney began sailing collegiately at St. Mary’s College of Maryland where she helped her team win two National Titles and was named All-American. After coaching at the college level for five years, she moved to Annapolis Maryland and now delights in weekly races and regattas. With a background in Social Work and a second master's degree in Transformative Leadership and Social Change, Melissa founded Mind Over Gray Matter, Brain Coaching Services, LLC. Here she teaches individuals and professional groups practical neuroscience. Corporate leaders are taught brain-based management techniques that partner with the neurological processes of motivation, creativity, productivity and collaboration. Individual clients eliminate unnecessary stress, effortlessly build healthier habits, create more positive relationships and make better decisions under pressure. She also works with sailors to get the competitive mental edge that’s necessary to win. In her free time Melissa enjoys rock climbing, camping, yoga, photography and traveling.

Book preview

Introduction

At first glance, Sail On may seem to be exclusively about competitive sailing. As you read further, you may come to notice that the lessons herein can be generalized into situations that unfold in the workplace, community and within your family. Life can feel increasingly complicated, stressful and overwhelming. Unless you make a point to do something about it, you may find yourself in a downward spiral of emotions, health issues, and interpersonal relationship woes. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Walk into almost any bookstore and you’ll find the self-help section overflowing with the latest authors and public speakers harping about new theories and techniques you can use to live a life more satisfying, loving, healthy, successful, organic, sustainable, happy, whole, sexy, simple… the list goes on and on. You may even notice that some theories have changed so much in the last century that we’re at a point when they almost seem contradictory to the previous versions of themselves. Nutrition is a perfect example. I feel like it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the latest theories about what’s healthy and what’s not, without feeling completely confused and left wondering, What will they come up with next? Feeling overwhelmed myself, I opted for a different path toward mental clarity and personal happiness: sailing.

Sailing is an incredibly unique sport. I find that hopping on a boat and leaving the land behind does wonders for my soul. A friend’s 10 year-old son put it best as we pulled away from the dock heading out for a Wednesday night race. Waving gleefully he shouted, Goodbye problems, see you in a few hours! Childhood wisdom at its best.

There is something about sailing that takes me from a stressful day at work to the feeling of bliss as we race around a course and head back just in time to catch a beautiful waterfront sunset. Maybe it’s the sound of the water, the intensity of concentration, the camaraderie among crew mates, or the simplicity of focusing on the present moment, allowing all else to dissolve into the background. For me, it’s all of these things, yet there is still an intangible quality that exists throughout this experience, tying it all together to make the activity seem almost spiritual. There’s a driving force that continues to call me into this state of interpersonal awareness while on the water dancing with the wind. My mind feels free of