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At Kahuna Accounting, we aren’t able to make up numbers, so instead we like to make up words.

Check out this video by our founder and CEO Frank Lunn with one of those words, Terro-Phoria, explaining the balance of terror and euphoria that so many entrepreneurs know well.

This concept is explored in depth in Frank’s book, Carpe Aqualis, Seize the Wave! Frank talks about what it means.

Here’s an excerpt from the book:

Have you ever been on a roller coaster or thrill ride? If so, you might recognize that emotion somewhere between terror and euphoria. I call this Terro-Phoria. Terro-Phoria describes business opportunities or other changes so big they scare us, but at the same time excite us. Terro-phoria is the same emotion shared by big wave surfers and Wall Street traders. It is experienced by bungee jumpers and parachutists…and by mothers seeing their kids off to school for the first time. Once the roller coaster has started, it is too late to back down. The only real option is to embrace Terro-Phoria, learn skills to improve your ability to ride the changes and maintain a Carpe Aqualis attitude!

You Can’t Control the Waves, Only How You Surf

Make no mistake; both real and metaphorical surfing are skills. It takes time to accept the waves life has given you and adapt to them. Take heart; no matter how old or young you are, no matter your level of education or training, you can develop the surfer mindset. You can survive and thrive no matter what the waves bring. Carpe Aqualis! Bring it on.

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