Day 60 of 100 Days of Growth: The Wisdom of Choosing Your Playing Field ??♂???

Today, I'd like to share a story from my school days that's close to my heart.

In my time at school, I participated in our inter-class swimming competitions and collected four medals over the years. One of them is a gold medal from a relay event—I was fortunate to be part of a strong team. The other two are similar achievements that I'm proud of.

But the most interesting medal is a silver one I earned in the 100m backstroke. Now, backstroke isn't an easy stroke to master, especially over a distance of 100 metres that requires a turn—a challenge in itself when swimming on your back.

Knowing how tough and rare this event was, I realised there might not be many competitors. As it turned out, there was only one other swimmer—who happened to be the reigning interschool backstroke champion and a member of the swimming team.

Me? I wasn't a champion, but I knew that as long as I completed the 100 metres, I'd secure a medal. So, I dived in and swam my heart out. I finished the race nearly 25 seconds after the champion, but something incredible happened. The entire school started cheering for me, shouting "Go! Go! Go!" The energy was electric. When I finally touched the wall, the whole school erupted in applause and celebration, as if I had won the race!

This experience taught me a valuable lesson:

Working hard is important, and honing your skills is crucial. But sometimes, the wisdom to choose the right playing field is just as significant.

By entering an event where I could compete on my terms, I not only earned a medal but also experienced an unforgettable moment of encouragement and unity.

Reflecting on this, I'd love to hear from you:

- Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and been rewarded in unexpected ways?

- How do you decide which challenges to take on in your personal or professional life?

Feel free to share your stories or insights below. Let's celebrate the wisdom in making bold choices!

Attached is a photo of my four swimming medals, each holding a special place in my journey.

#Growth #Wisdom #Swimming #PersonalDevelopment #100DaysOfGrowth