You are never too old to.....

The last few years have been extremely uncomfortable for all of us. A global pandemic, our freedoms being taken away from us, new ways of working, new industries, and job titles. And whilst it was challenging, uncomfortable and scary at times, most of us have gotten through it a little wiser, a little stronger and hopefully with a little more clarity.

I have always been someone who has been comfortable with change and risk taking, but usually only in business. I have always had the confidence that my experience, business insights, networks, work ethic and stubborn tenacity would help me overcome any business issue.

However, until recently I have never taken this confidence into my physical life.

From a young age I was told, and I believed, I was not “sporty.”?I was the last one picked for team sports. Only once did I get a ribbon in athletics – third ??- and only because there were 3 in the race and a game of netball made me feel like I was going to war. You could say I formed “identity foreclosure". This is a term I learnt a few years ago and it means that we define ourselves in a certain way and we see it as fact rather than a choice.

As an executive coach and as a CEO my role is to help others identify blind spots, to develop actions plans and then encourage people to take action, and yet I never approached sport in this way.

Two weeks ago, I tried surfing for the first time at 50 + years of age. This is something I did for myself, with a friend and it was not something I thought I would ever be writing about. However, as I have been telling people about my weekend I have been surprised with the responses.

It seems that doing something totally random, something that takes skill and is uncomfortable, for no other reason than “because I can” is inspiring. Over the last few weeks, I have been called “mad, crazy, awesome, brave, quirky, ridiculous and amazing” and each time I would say “and you can do it too!!!”?

Whilst a few people have said "yes" more have said “Oh I can’t,” “Maybe” and the one I hate most “I am told old for that”

Today, as we start a new week, I challenge EVERYONE to find something to push them out of their comfort zone and here are my tips to get started:

1.?????Challenge the concept of “identity foreclosure.”?Redefine yourself from the belief that you are old, unfit, bad at sport, not smart enough, too young or any other description you are using to limit your opportunities. See yourself the way you would like to be.

2.?????Get help and expert advice. Whilst I am crazy, I am not insane!! I didn’t decide to go surfing, buy a surfboard and then paddle out to the rips at Torquay. I googled “surfing lessons for beginners” and found Urn Surf. I found a surf coach to help me learn the basics slowly and safely. I fell down a lot, but I did it in a safe environment.

3.?????Surround yourself with cheerleaders. I went with a friend who said “yes.”??We laughed for the 45-minute drive to and from our lesson as we couldn’t believe what we were doing. We encouraged each other when we fell, and we cheered each other when we stood up. No judgment, no criticism, just unconditional support.

4.?????Do it for yourself not others. None of us live in a vacuum and our decisions and actions will often attract the feedback and opinions of others. Sometimes this is relevant and constructive and sometimes not. Learn the skill of sifting through the feedback that you need to listen to, and the feedback is that is other people’s fears or baggage. For example, I am usually quick to dismiss any feedback that starts with “don’t you think you are too old for that?”

5.?????Finally, take action. The phrase “I should do that” drives me crazy. Either decide to take action and then act or don’t and stop talking about something you know you will never do. Decide to act, commit to act, make the time to act and then act. Book that lesson or the meeting with your boss and start to move forward.

?Whether you want to try something new in business, your career, your health, your relationships, or any other part of your life have fun and get uncomfortable.

?And if you want to make a change in your business, career or team and you think you might need an executive coach – reach out to us here at Peeplcoach

#executivecoaching #getuncomfortable #havefun #surfing #nevertooold