The Art of Doing "Scary Things"

How sabring Champagne has given me a new perspective on mastering unknown skills in my life in general.

(Originally posted on Substack on OCT 31, 2023 - Subscribe here https://thedeliveryman.substack.com)

“A warlike gesture that became a gesture of joy thanks to the grace of a wine! And who else, better than that of Champagne, could accomplish this feat, it whose birth and image are only perpetual contradictions? Thus, final metamorphosis by the grace of this slightly magical champagne wine, the weapon, instead of imposing order, liberates the party.” - Prince Alain de Polignac

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In the heart of every professional lies a silent fear, a whisper of doubt that often holds them back from stepping out of their comfort zones. Trying something new in a professional setting is akin to standing on the edge of a cliff, not knowing whether you'll soar or plummet. Drawing parallels from the elegant and daring art of sabring a bottle of champagne, let's explore this fear and the adrenaline-pumping rewards that come from conquering it.

The Tale of the Napoleon Army

Historically, the tradition of sabrage dates back to the time of Napoleon. His audacious cavalrymen, the Hussars, rode across Europe wielding their sabres, symbolizing their valor. After the heat of battle, to celebrate their victories, these brave soldiers took to a flamboyant gesture – sabring off the top of a champagne bottle. It was a moment of ecstasy after the terror of war, a quick flick of the wrist replacing the lingering echo of gunshots with the cheerful pop of bubbly. (Many legends exist around the origin of this practice. You can explore few of them in this article.)

Such audacity in the midst of chaos was not just showmanship but a testament to their skills and training. It was a declaration that despite the unfamiliar terrain and uncertainties of war, they were masters of their fate.

The Confrérie du Sabre dOr

Centuries later, the art of sabrage is kept alive and revered by the Confrérie du Sabre d'Or (Brotherhood of the Golden Sabre). This elite society, dedicated to preserving this historical tradition, not only sabres bottles but also inducts members into its fold based on their prowess with the blade and their knowledge of champagne.

For members of the Confrérie, sabrage is not merely a theatrical gesture but a rite of passage. It embodies the essence of embracing a new challenge, respecting the craft, and mastering the skill with finesse.

The Professional Parallel

Trying something new in a professional setting, be it taking on a new role, mastering a novel technology, or pitching an innovative idea, can be as daunting as staring down the neck of a champagne bottle, sabre in hand. The fear of failure, ridicule, or even just the unknown can paralyze even the best of us.

However, just as the Hussars and the members of the Confrérie du Sabre d'Or transform a simple bottle of champagne into an emblem of victory, professionals too can turn their challenges into milestones. By arming oneself with knowledge, preparation, and a touch of audacity, new ventures can become thrilling opportunities.

The Euphoria of Mastery

There's an unmatched euphoria in hearing the perfect pop of a successfully sabred champagne bottle. It's the sound of mastery, of challenge met and conquered. But it doesn’t come randomly. It takes knowledge and preparation. There is a science behind it. The temperature of the bottle and the room. The angle necessary to hold the bottle to create the most pressure. The pressure inside the bottle itself. The way to shave the bottle with the sabre instead of striking it. The capacity to identify the weak point around the neck of the bottle. Similarly, in the professional realm, the joy of mastering a new skill or successfully navigating a new challenge is incomparable. The initial fear and apprehension give way to a burst of pride and elation.

To sum up, embracing challenges, both in the art of sabrage and in professional life, requires a blend of courage, skill, and a belief in oneself. Like the Hussars of old, we must remember that every challenge we face, every new skill we strive to acquire, has the potential to be our next victory toast. It is also very important to seek sometimes these scary things in an orderly manner. During the pandemic, I decided to learn the bagpipe. This is a scary instrument, difficult to master and yet, I wanted to add it to my personal challenges list. But this is a story for another post.

So the next time you find yourself hesitant to take that leap in your career, think of the sabre, the champagne, and the exhilarating pop that awaits you on the other side. Cheers to the art of embracing the new!

“Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it.”