Facing the Grizzly

by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang

When one goes to Denali National Park and Preserve  in Alaska, like I did this month, you are given repeated instructions on how to deal with a Grizzly Bear should you encounter one. You don’t run.

That would trigger the bears’ chase instinct and they will outrun or overpower you.  You are supposed to stay calm, face the bear, wave your arms and talk to it so it realizes you are not prey or a threat.  Should the bear charge you, which it might do, repeatedly, as a bluff, you are to stand your ground and not move.  If by some remote chance the bear does attack you, you are to get into the fetal position, face down, with your hands behind your neck and your backpack in place.  The bear should walk away eventually once they realize you’re not dinner.  HA!  Would you care to try any of it to find out?

In three visits to Alaska, one for an entire summer, I never had to engage my bear training but it did make me consider, every time I heard the instructions, whether I could keep my cool and do what has proven to work.

I can’t think of a more intense analogy for facing your fears head on.  Facing a six foot Grizzly and staying steady and focused and not running in the opposite direction or freaking out or requiring a new pair of pants!

Does that mirror anything in your life?  What are you facing right now? A scary career change?  A relationship that would force you to grow?  A money problem you fear is bigger than you can handle?

Hold your ground.  Talk it down.

The week I was in the park, an eighteen-year-old female was innocently walking on a very open, unobstructed grassy hill near a rest stop when a Grizzly appeared seemingly out of nowhere.  She committed the mortal sin and started running.  Guides, bus drivers and bear-educated tourists soon started yelling instructions at her repeating the training she had forgotten in her panic.  She got a hold of herself, stopped and talked calmly to the bear waving her arms.  The bear bluff charged her a couple of times and then went on his way.  Traumatized, but safe, the girl returned to her party and the bus.

Who can remind you to get with the program?  Who can guide you?  Who can keep you from panicking and making matters worse?

Today’s message is a just a friendly reminder, like the repeated bear instructions.  Face your fears and get them to walk away from you knowing you are not going to engage them.

Enjoy the rest of summer and get ready to rock the fall. Let us know how we can help.