Just let go and SLIDE!

It’s a crisp winter afternoon, the sun is high in the sky and children are laughing. 

My daughter takes a look at the ladder at the bottom of the climbing frame. It’s high...high enough for several parents to tentatively hover their hands beneath their child as they move up out of reach. 

She double checks.

It’s clear.

She takes her first, small steps. She looks at me, then the rungs, steadies herself and starts climbing methodically to the top. Like the other parents, I briefly offer my hands (more for my reassurance than hers) but she doesn’t look back - she reaches the top effortlessly. 

She heads for the slide to come back down. And she sits there. 

And sits. 

“Come on” I encourage. “This is the fun bit”

She sits. 

For 3 minutes with the kid equivalent of an M25 lockdown building up behind her, she sits. 

Then, clamping her hands firmly on either side of the metal chute, she slowly makes her way down. Her face is pensive, her hands tighten and she looks fearful. 

“Just let go” I prompt. 

She doesn’t

“I promise, it’s fun” I gently nudge. Pause. “...promise”

She slowly releases her grip and her face changes. First, it’s flooded with fear as the adrenaline kicks in - she’s in flight. 

Quickly, it reforms - she is smiling, no LAUGHING. I see her teeth set in a beautiful smile as she opens her mouth and let’s out a “Wheeeeeeeee”, speeding down to the bottom before jumping off and going again. 

Next time, she comes down flat on her back, then her front. She knows no fear - she simply let go of the slide and let it take her. 

- - - - - - - - - -

How many of us hold onto the slide when an opportunity presents itself?

How many of us grip onto certainty, afraid to truly take flight and enjoy the ride?

I know I have. 

In 2018, I’ve made a promise to myself to let go of the slide - to let the opportunities that come take me on an amazing ride. 

It’s much more fun, if a little scary. But, that’s how Boom! feels.

What opportunities are you going to 'let go of the slide' on in 2018?

I’d love you to share them with me. 

Stay Boom!

Scott Morrison is the founder and bringer of the Boom! and has worked with and at brands including Saatchi and Saatchi, Wieden and Kennedy, Nike, Levi’s, XBox, Activision and Diesel.

the Boom! have worked with over 30 clients helping them and their teams unblock old ways of thinking, unlock new ways to join their creative and commercial dots and unleash their people and ideas in their business 

You can learn more at our website here