Have you met Your Highline and Blue Ox?

What are you afraid of?

What is holding you back from taking your life and career to the next level? Fear can both be a cause and a symptom of avoidance - whether it's failing to make a sales call, missing an appointment, or not following through.

Let's face it, when we're certain about something, it's much easier to make a decision, isn't it? We crave certainty in our lives, but it's uncertainty that can either propel us to the next level or shackle us as a jailer, keeping us back. You've heard the metaphor about turning up the thermostat in a room - it makes us uncomfortable. However, when we turn up the heat and take action, we push ourselves out of our comfort zones and into the next level, making ourselves better.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were outside your comfort zone, did something, and succeeded? I bet you have. Whether it was a childhood experience, a sporting event, or a life-changing moment where you had to make a decision, afterward, you breathed a sigh of relief but felt different - that feeling was growth!

The reality is we encounter these obstacles throughout our lives, and the question becomes: How do we use those past moments when we performed under pressure, when the heat was turned up, to overcome, succeed, and rise to the occasion in the current situation?

Years ago when I was in Vail, Colorado, we had an orthopedic symposium. A good friend of mine, no longer with us, was an orthopedic surgeon and an expert skier. When I skied with him, I had moments where I rose above the ranks of an intermediate skier, tackling blues, and challenging myself with black diamonds. Those who've been to Vail and conquered Highline and Blue Ox know what I'm talking about. On one particular day, John said, "Gerry, the snow is great and it’s not too fast. There's no better day to do it." So, up the chairlift we went. As we skied down to the top of Highline, John disappeared over the headwall. I, of course, stopped with my heart racing. All I could hear from the other side was John hollering, "Gerry, come on over. It's great. You can do it!" With no other alternative and no desire to go back up to the chairlift, I ventured over and skied Highline all the way to the bottom without falling, navigating the moguls. It wasn't graceful, but I got it done. Just as I was thinking, "Great, what a success," and breathing a sigh of relief, John said, "We're not leaving until you do Blue Ox." We did Blue Ox. He continued skiing, while I, with rubbery legs, made my way back to the Lodge.

So, what's the significance of this story, you ask? It's simple. When things get tough, and you're facing challenges, remember one like this locked-away memory. It shows that when the pressure was on, you persevered. The next time you're worrying about a presentation, a business meeting, a sales call, or anything challenging in your life, think back to a time when you overcame a challenge. You'll draw a correlation between that past experience and what you're currently facing. Tell yourself, "Because you did that, you can do this." Then, square your shoulders, loosen your collar a bit because it's getting hot, and go out there. Rise to the occasion and experience the growth that comes from reaching the next level in your life and your career. You've already conquered your and Highline and Bue Ox.