“There are five important things for living a successful and fulfilling life:
never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up.
Never stop trying, and never stop learning.”
― Roy Bennett
Before this new year of 2024 started, I found myself planning opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and stretch.
I also discovered I needed to find old muscles and skills to navigate paths that I had taken before—but not in the recent past.
All of this reminds me that we will be forever learning, growing, and changing. It doesn’t stop until we stop. And I have no plans to stop any time soon.
My new year plans for stretching and getting “gnarly” include a trip to Park City, Utah, for the sole purpose of learning how to snowboard. It holds my curiosity and will stretch my abilities and motivation to the max! I will need to prioritize weight loss, exercise, and practice for the month before the trip.
I will put my mindset into learner’s mode and apply lots of positive self-talk and perseverance.
I will report to you all if I find my balance and inner snowboarder after the trip.
It is a bit of a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal—credit to Jim Collins, author of Good to Great) for me, as my knees ache, my aging body is stiff, but my spirit is eager.
My stretching at the end of the year was realized when I traveled solo for several trips. Driving is easier because I can control my pace and navigation. I take it slow and steady. However, I made a big trip at the end of the year that required a plane trip, a car rental, a rocky mountain drive in the dark, an early morning departure, baggage schlepping, and many timed transitions at the height of the travel season. I did it all with a cheerful attitude but discovered that my eyes no longer like to drive in the dark, my confidence driving mountains is receding, and I would rather do all the many transitions with a partner.
I am still capable, but I met my declining abilities by finding new strategies for staying able-bodied for the challenge.
I was motivated. I wanted to go to the mountains to ski with friends and see family; then I wanted to return home to my funny pack of six dogs.
I broke down the complexity of the many steps to those goals into small pieces, taking each one at a time. I recently watched the movie Meg 2: The Trench, and the lead character is superhuman in his ability to wrestle sharks, and in every crisis says, “Work the problem. Take the first step.”
- I try to make friends along the way. I use my ‘pleases’ and ‘thank-yous’ along with the offering of freshly made holiday cookies for every person and shuttle driver, baggage skycap, airline, and security personnel, as well as fellow travelers with whom I patiently stand in line.
- Most importantly, I give myself more than enough time. Nothing is more stressful than cutting it too close when traveling.
- When confused, I will ask for help.
- I accept that I will make some mistakes (frequently when driving). I practice my flexibility.
- I try to laugh and smile throughout the many twists, turns, and surprises. I make sure that I talk positively to myself.
- Lastly, I reward myself for making it to the gate on time. It might be with a good breakfast (time permitting) or, on this trip, upgrading myself to first class and watching a movie.
- What are your strategies for approaching a challenging task in a new place under changing conditions?
- How do you manage it alone? What do you do when you are responsible for helping others succeed at the same task?
I did have some travel buddies leaving before and after me, and I found it helpful that we relayed information to each other about the long lines and traffic. Knowing that there was someone out there doing what I was doing too encouraged me.
I like to do things with a team. I can lead and I can follow; I just like the fun of doing it with other people. So, I, along with thousands of other individuals and families, traveled together over the holidays. I was in a mosh of humanity and came through feeling good about myself and the world in general.
I experienced the stress of not wanting to falter or fail while remaining focused, committed, and cheerful. So did everyone around me.
This is my latest realization for doing things solo and complex: be helpful to others along the way.
I have learned that I can still do things, even if I am rusty. I also learned that the world is filled with people who are good, well-intentioned, able to learn, and willing to share. Together, we can do almost anything.
I also recognize all the hardship and trauma co-existing with goodness in this world.
May we all find our way into a more peaceful future together in 2024!
Leslie
“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs
and developing our wings on the way down.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
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