We are a Ski / Snowboard family, but I would not call myself a skier or snowboarder. My husband & our kids LOVE Snowboarding and Skiing but the same cannot be said for me.
It’s not that I don’t love winter sports, I do…just not skiing or snowboarding. When I was growing up, my winter sport of choice was skating and I spent countless hours at the arena with skates on my feet. I spent exactly zero hours on the slopes.
But that all change four years ago. When I realized we were destined to be a ski family, I knew I needed to learn to ski if I didn’t want to be left at the bottom.
It turns out, learning to ski is a lot like owning a studio. The thought of it is very exciting at first. It turns out to be way harder than it looks. It takes a long time before you feel comfortable and I questioned my self constantly.
But… when things go right, it is SO FUN!
Jonas has coached snowboard racing for a long time. So our circle of friends are ALL amazing skiers or snowboarders. Most of them have been skiing or snowboarding since they could walk. I was VERY intimidated and felt like no one (including Jonas) could relate to how I was feeling. I felt paralyzed and on the edge of tears every time I was out there. I didn’t fit in, I am sure I looked silly and I felt like my progress was ridiculously slow. But he stuck by me despite a couple of minor squabbles along the way. Some happening mid slope.
Despite my fears (and tears) and my feelings of inadequacy I persevered for two reasons. 1) I would love to take a family vacation in the Swiss Alps and I repeatedly visualizing a goal and 2) I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome my feeling of vulnerability and learn to ski.
Well, after 4 years, I am very happy with my progress. Here is a video we took this week on the slopes. Its not perfect, but it is progress and I am having fun.
Owning a business if very similar. I hope it will help me create a great life were I can go on vacation to the Swiss Alp and I am always having to overcome feelings of vulnerability when I take risks or things change in the business. Its like developing a muscle where you are willing to be vulnerable. Get better at being uncomfortable and making tough choices for long term rewards. In order to maintain Motiv’s success over the years and especially this last year not unlike learning to ski I have had to face fear, get uncomfortable and take action even when I felt paralyzed and on the verge of tears.
No matter if I am staring down a hill outside my comfort zone or running a business through a pandemic I will continue to face my fears and proceed onward to attain my goals. What I have learned over the years is I must break through fear in order to gain the reward.
And sometimes the reward is better than you thought it would be. Skiing beside the kids is the best thing. Although my fear is no longer about me going into the trees but rather them going into the trees. Seeing the smiles on their face and the joy they have is priceless!