Hey Legend,
The other weekend, we had Kaci’s three little cousins stay over – ages 6, 10, and 12.
We took them to the same playground my parents used to take me to as a kid.
St Kilda park, north of Adelaide.
I remember this park being HUGE and incredible as a youngster.
It’s been 20+ years since I’ve been there.
When we got there on the Saturday afternoon (during the school holidays), the park was PACKED.
The first thing we did was race up to the biggest slide (which is pretty high up!).
This slide was far too high and daunting for the youngest. The eldest was scared but had the courage to go down. The middle-child was torn. You could tell he wanted to do it, but it was right on the edge of his comfort zone.
He chose not to go down the slide. It was clear how this fear deflated him. The smile went from his face. He lost his enthusiasm. His head was down. He was afraid, but he didn’t want to admit it.
Kaci suggested I have a chat with him.
I shared a story of when I was a young boy. My parents took me and my little sister up the lighthouse at Port Adelaide. I remember being absolutely terrified! I was clinging to the edges for dear life!
(While my younger sister confidently marched around the rails of the lighthouse – she’s always been more adventurous than me).
He exclaimed, “REALLY?!”
It was hard for him to believe that I was once a young boy who was afraid like he was.
His eyes lit up – you could tell the story landed.
After that chat, something shifted. We got up and marched over to another set of slides.
As we walked over, I encouraged him to stand up straight and keep his head up. A cue for confidence I used to give to my footy teammates when we were being beaten.
The next set of slides wasn’t as big as the first, but still high and intimidating – right on the edge of his comfort zone.
I could see he was still afraid, but I challenged him to have a crack. He rose to the occasion and took the plunge down the big, spiralling slide!
As his feet hit the ground, you could see how his energy shifted. He conquered his fear. He stepped just beyond his comfort zone. And now his comfort zone has expanded.
The next morning, I was sitting at our bay windows at the front of our house with the three kids reflecting on the previous day.
I asked them,
“What was your favourite part of yesterday?”
The middle-child replied, “going down the big spiralling slide!”.
It was like night and day seeing the transformation he made from feeling fear and shame to now being enthusiastic and confident.
I shared with him,
“The things that scare you the most often become the things you enjoy the most.”
I’m sure you can recall doing something scary, that was right on the edge of your comfort zone, but after doing it – you felt completely energised and loved it!
And that’s because,
Fear isn’t a stop sign, it’s a compass.
It points you straight to your next breakthrough.
A guiding principle I now live by is – if you have to choose between two options, always choose the option that scares you the most.
Because you will experience more growth, you’ll have more fun, and you’ll have a powerful story to share.
So,
What’s one fear you could lean into today – whether it’s a bold conversation, a new venture, or even something small but meaningful?
Hit reply and let me know.
