What’s weird about many a new, scary experience is that I know I can do it. Even before starting, while still trembling and uncommitted, I know this is within my grasp.
Yes there are some things that are self-evidently not within my grasp. Bearing children, for instance.
But others are within my grasp to accomplish. Being wildly fit. That is within my grasp. Yeah, the definition of “wildly fit” might be rubbery, but there is no doubt that I can get to a satisfactory point where I say to myself that I’m wildly fit.
Mental states, too. Being at peace. Again, what does that mean, exactly? Who knows! Not me, but others seem to know. I can get to a point where I feel that state for more than moments.
What holds me back? Living through the suck? No. I have endured the suck before. I know how to do that. Fear of failure? Maybe. That’s what other people think of me, not what I think of myself. I have failed often enough already that I’m kind of immune to it. Sometimes! Other times I take it seriously, even though it is a false god.
I think one of the reasons is knowing that this is within my power. If I try and succeed, then what? Unknown! But change. And if I try and fail, then what? Unknown. But change.
“It worked for them, so it will work for me” was my blind mantra at the start. And it was right. The promises came true. That wasn’t so scary, was it? In fact, I experienced liberation.
Let’s revisit the mantra. Tattoo it to your brain: It worked for them, it will work for me. But work it.
The payoff for those I knew 30+ years ago at the start was different (for those who persisted, and where are they now?) than it was for me. Did they experience a moment of oneness hurtling north on I-15 on a cold winter’s dawn in a fancy new car? Probably not. But have they they experienced a moment of oneness in another way? Almost certainly yes. That’s the payoff.
Even after all of this time I shy away from change. Even after first-hand evidence.
Let’s do this.
It worked for (insert name here), so it will work for me. Take that as a mantra.
And don’t forget Alison’s admonition: when you do that, be willing to take the whole package. You can’t have the so-called benefits without the so-called costs.
I already know I can do this. I am going to apply it in a prosaic (and simultaneously profound) area of life: business. Ian’s example is what I keep in mind.
There are patterns to follow. I can do this.