Into the water
Updated: Jan 11
A lesson in mindset, community and doing business the right way
Yesterday morning, I got up at 6am, grabbed a coffee and headed to the beach for a sunrise swim. And yes, before you ask – I chose to get into the freezing cold sea. On purpose.
Now, you might think I’m mad… and perhaps you’d be right. But there’s something powerful about cold-water swimming that I’ve grown to love, especially for your mindset.
Research shows that cold-water immersion boosts endorphins, reduces inflammation, increases alertness and improves mental clarity. But what hits me the most isn’t the physical benefits – it’s the shift in mindset.
Getting into cold water requires breathing techniques, self-talk and a moment of absolute bravery where you tell your body:
“It’s okay. You can do this.”
Once you’re in, your body acclimatises, and the cold becomes clarity.
The general rule with cold-water swimming is 1 minute per degree of water temperature. It was 10 degrees yesterday, so I stayed in for 10 minutes (although there was a bit of bobbing about more than actual swimming… you know how it is!).
And I didn’t do it alone
The golden rule of the sea: never swim alone. My swimming buddy was Penny – founder of Wild Bookkeeping, an award-winning bookkeeping business built from her love of the water.
We met at Business Uncorked, a networking event that mixes wine, cheese and business (if you want details and a cheeky discount, drop a comment). Then we crossed paths again through Business Brand Club, where visibility meets strategy in the loveliest way.
Penny invited me for a sunrise dip, followed by coffee and a bacon roll at her beach hut. For someone like me who’s notoriously terrible at organising myself for these things, it was an instant yes. Sometimes you just need someone to say, “I’ll meet you there.”
Penny posts a video every week from the sea, so we filmed one together – and I shared a little Sunday School–style marketing tip with her audience. My message?
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything alone. Outsource what drains you. Keep what lights you up.
Bookkeeping. Marketing. Blog writing. Social media. SEO. Admin.
These aren’t meant to be done by one person. And this is exactly what we do at I am Emily Marketing. We become your team. And beyond that, we connect you with all the trusted people you need – bookkeepers like Penny, photographers, solicitors, accountants, designers, PR… the list goes on.
You don’t just get a marketer. You get a community.
Business isn’t just business – it’s connection
After the swim, we watched what little sun peeked through, ate bacon sarnies and cuddled Penny’s lovely old man dog, Archie. Then Penny headed off to get glammed up for the One Love Project Gala Dinner, while I walked my own dog through the woods with my friend Karen (who also happens to be one of the IAE photographers and part of our extended team).
It struck me yesterday that business isn’t linear. It’s not just “the day job.”It’s community. It’s friendship. It’s doors opening into new opportunities, new relationships and new ways of working – if you’re brave enough to step into the water.
So here’s your takeaway – and your task
Getting into cold water and running a business have something big in common:
You don’t do either alone. You breathe, you steady yourself – and you get in anyway.
Once you’re in, the shock settles, your body adjusts and clarity arrives.
At this time of year, when everything feels busy and the pressure is on, I want you to think about two things:
1. What “cold water” are you avoiding in your business?
Is it hiring help? Launching something new? Showing up more online? Raising your prices? Finally outsourcing the tasks eating up your time?
What are you standing at the shoreline looking at, but not stepping into?
2. Who are your “Penny people”?
The ones who say, “Come with me – I’ll go in with you.” Your collaborators. Your supporters. Your people who make business easier, lighter and more joyful.
This week’s reflection:
Where do you need to be brave in your business? And who can you step into the water with?
Your next step might not be a swim at sunrise – but it is a shift in mindset.
Reading this now?
This post was part of a weekly series I shared in early 2025, offering reflections and prompts for small business owners. If you’re reading this now and looking for more structure, accountability and guided planning (without overwhelm), that work now lives inside my Plan it. Do it. Grow it. membership.
It is an interesting and captivating read - "Into the Water" entices the reader with its rich mysteries and poetic prose. This is a good example of high-quality book publishing at its best.
I enjoyed reading this post about Into the Water. The idea of looking at a story through its characters and the way they deal with difficult situations makes it more interesting than simply focusing on the plot. Books like this can leave you thinking about certain scenes and characters even after you have finished reading.
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I really liked the comparison between stepping into cold water and stepping outside your comfort zone in business. The reminder that having the right people around you can make difficult things feel much more manageable really stuck with me. I often listen to web pages when I'm out for a walk, and reflective posts like this are especially enjoyable in that format.