💡The Method That Saved the Bachelor

This method I developed saved me from missing one of the most important weekends of my life, and it just may help you too.

It’s April 13, 6:45 am.

I’m half asleep in an Uber to the airport to catch my flight to San Francisco at 8 am.

My brother and closest friends are flying to California from all over the country to celebrate my bachelor weekend.

I open my email and see the following message:

Oh Shit.

The 1,000 Year Flood

My Uber arrives at the Ft. Lauderdale airport but we’re unable to enter.

Floating cars block the roads.

Parking lots were transformed into lakes.

Cars raced around side streets looking for a way inside.

My guy was a pro, he finally found the only entrance open.

Cars were piled up everywhere along the way. It was like a movie set.

The LED sign that normally welcomed us to FLL Airport said in big red letters “AIRPORT CLOSED”

Have you ever seen that in your life?

I’ve been watching Walking Dead lately and this felt WAY too similarly apocalyptic.

Weather experts later said this was a “Once in every 1,000-2,000 years” rate of rainfall.

On the morning of my once in a lifetime trip.

The airport was full of people on their phones frantically calling airlines, relatives, and coworkers.

I overheard one guy in jeans, cowboy boots, and a thick southern drawl “it ain’t lookin’ good”.

My thoughts exactly at that moment.

My bachelor weekend was about to have everyone in attendance except for the actual bachelor.

Everything is Figureoutable

I could feel my spirit drop for a moment in the airport.

The worst part for me was people investing their time and money to celebrate with me, and I would be the only one to miss the party.

It was easy to give up at that moment too, everyone in the airport seemed to have resigned to their fate. They sat on benches, shared cigarettes, and built camps with their luggage.

But there’s one quality that serves me well (and drives Michelle a little crazy sometimes):

I’m stubborn as hell.

I am NOT going to miss this!

The creative problem solving mode kicks in and my energy is focused on solving, not worrying.

I quickly bought another flight out of FLL for 11:30am, maybe that will work.

Then I checked with some gate agents.

I doubt any flights will make it out of here today.

What about Miami airport?

I wouldn’t bet on that either.

That’s when I looked out the window at the tarmac, it was completely under water.

Have you ever seen something and thought you were on a movie set?

I called my buddy (and Best Man) Brad and gave him the news.

Dude, there’s a Biblical flood going on here.

I’m now checking flights out of Ft. Myers, West Palm Beach, and all over Florida. I know there’s gotta be way out west and I’m unwilling to accept otherwise.

But the clock is ticking, thousands of stranded people are trying to buy the same flights out of Florida.

It’s 9:30am, Brad calls me back.

There’s a flight out of Orlando through Salt Lake City to SFO at 1:37pm, can you make it?

Orlando is over 3 hours away. Screw it, let's go for it.

The roads are too unsafe for Michelle to drive the nearly 7 hour round trip, so I have one option left.

After the first two Ubers cancel the cross-state request, one guy on his 3rd-day driving accepts.

We make it to Orlando airport and I race through security.

Thank you TSA Precheck!

But something else is what really saved the day.

The DIG Method

My day began at 6 am in Miami.

Then 3 Ubers, 3 canceled flights, a dozen phone calls, 2 successful flights, 1 flooded airport, and 17 hours later I was enjoying a dinner with my buddies in Sonoma Valley California.

It was one of the best weekends of my life, even more so because it almost wasn’t.

Whether you are someone who keeps their cool under pressure, or you’re more of the hit the panic button type of person, this tool can work for you.

Thanks to previous experiences like getting departed from Myanmar (future newsletter story), I developed the DIG Method to handle crazy situations and make smart decisions:

1. Deep Breath - The quickest way to reduce stress, anxiety, and boost your mental clarity is breathwork. This is what I teach my coaching clients: physiology is the simplest way to positively impact your psychology. As soon as you calm your breath and increase oxygen to the brain, you’re far more effective executing the next steps below.

2. Imagine Possibilities - Most people’s conditioning is to focus on what won’t work and why it won’t work. Remember the strategy in Issue #5? I get unrealistic with my solutions first, then work backwards to see how they might be possible. Often I find that “realistic” isn’t based on reality, but rather other people’s opinions.

3. Get Support - We are communal creatures, we do best when we work together. The key is to talk to the friend who is calm under pressure, not the one who would drop the phone in panic. Creative ideas expand when they’re bounced between two minds. Who would that be for you?

There you have it, another tool in your pocket to DIG your way out of any tough situation.

The Bottom Line

Crises are unavoidable.

But when the sh*t hits the fan, be the one wearing a hat.

Challenge of the Week: Identify 1 person you can call in a tough situation and reach out to them. Share with them they’re your go-to person, and why they are that special person for you.

Share your thoughts on Twitter

Complementary Call

If you’re craving more adventure in your own life, be it related to health, career, or relationships, there’s no better time than now to embark. Grab a time to chat —> here.

Recommended Video

Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and researcher at Stanford University, packs loads of advice in just 4 minutes on breathing for optimal mental performance and feeling happier → here.

Recommended Fundraiser

Did you know 1 in 5 adults live with a mental health condition? While I joked about the Loony Police, I’m a true believer in promoting mental health for everyone. Michelle is participating in a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and I would love to invite you to support their mission —> here.

That’s all for now my fellow adventurer.

👉 If you know someone who would love stories like these, forward this email or share this link with them to check out past issues: https://jimwall.beehiiv.com/

📢 Next week’s issue will be sent to you from another country and include a special announcement! The stories and tools coming your way will be even more exciting, details to come.

Keep living your Great Adventure.

Jim Wall