When is the last time you did something for the first time?

This is one of my favorite opening questions in any courage-building workshop because it immediately brings the participants in touch with a moment when they were in the metaphorical "arena". You know, that place where you dare to enter even though you can't control the outcome. Those places where there is risk, uncertainty and emotional exposure.?

I just had another 'arena' moment this past week when I decided to try rowing for the first time ever!

I have been really eager to find a new activity. It needed to be interesting enough to compete with work,?involve being outside and involve some level of activity. I felt drawn to this sport. I knew nothing about rowing, nothing. All my other water activities involved moving facing forwards in the direction of travel...not backwards!?

I found a 3-hour trial course by me. It would be held in German ?? and the safety requirements stated that you must be able to swim 300 meters in open water. Given these past years of stagnation, I serious questioned if I was fit enough, if my German was good enough, if I was young enough to join and learn something new. When we are younger, everything is new, we are learning mode big time and we often find ourselves in "new beginning" but in my 50s I feel I have found my niche and I know my strengths and I tend to stick within them! This being a beginner was scary and the 'not enough messages were playing on loop in my head'.

I was literally building the courage up all year for this, talking about it with others?and eventually decided so late to register that the course was full. "Oh phew!" (I mean, oh darn). However,?they had so much interest, they ran the course again and I had to join!?

How did I enter this arena despite all of those "not enough" moments, well I leaned pretty heavily on all of my training around Daring Greatly and my years of working with this research from Brené Brown. I knew there was plenty of uncertainty, I knew emotions would be running high AND I knew that my core values of authenticity and connection were not only driving me but would support me. I had a huge support system of friends and family behind me cheering me on.?

I showed up and rumbled with the shame and vulnerability of this first...the clumsy German, the feeling of being 'child-like' in the newness, the embarrassment of flubbing up and the whole boat being impacted. I was compassionate with myself in those moments and resisted the critical inner talk. Not everyone in the boat seemed?to be a supporter in my arena but I focused on those who were, I centered on my values and the moments when the boat in fact glided over the water were blissful, confirming my decision to dare.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Where do you want to be braver in your life? Maybe it is a new hobby like mine or maybe it is daring to enter a hard conversation, take on a leadership position or make changes in your life or your work. As humans we are not naturally inclined to lean into these moments, we are wired for safety after all.?

If you want to resource yourself with the mindset, skills and tools needed to dare greatly in life and work, you can join me and my colleagues?in just a few weeks for our online Dare to Lead??program and build the courage to enter the arenas of your life.

Unlike the rowing course, we cannot offer another one, so dare now and register now!

Don't miss your chance to change.

https://dareteam.ch/dare-to-lead-fall-2024/