Welcome to summer. I hope that yours has had a glorious start. I recently hit the road with my family, left my computer behind and headed north, waaaaay out of the city, to a lakeside cottage for a few days. I finished a book, paddled across a still, quiet lake, and identified birds with my sons. I reminded myself of last summer’s commitment to recharging, and how taking a break builds resilience.
But I also confronted some fear. Standing at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the water, I told myself that I was brave enough to jump into the lake. I’d just watched my kids and husband do it, over and over, with exuberant joy. But I couldn’t. Their cheers and encouragement only made my heart beat faster. As the adrenaline coursed through my body, I felt my knees start to shake. After 20 minutes of attempting calm self-talk, I heard my 10-year-old say, “You know, Mom, you don’t have to do it.”. Something about these words took the pressure off. I took a breath – and leaped.
The challenge of ‘leaping’ is one that we all face; you have to give a speech, but public speaking terrifies you, you want to ask for a raise, but can’t work up the nerve to approach your boss. You’re longing for a change in your work, but seeking something new is scary.
Fear can be useful when it keeps us safe, and when caution is due. And it can limit possibilities: not everything that feels frightening is dangerous.
Challenge and risk experiences are cumulative. With each new leap, we expand our repertoire of life skills and self-knowledge – and thus we enlarge the range of our comfort zone. Like magic.
In the summer, we do slow down a smidge at Open Line. And while we’re making time for recharging, we’ll also reflect on what new challenges we’ll take on in the busy season ahead. I’m considering how I personally can push myself to innovate, to experiment with the new. This month, I’ll be heading to Portland, where I’ll be speaking at the Professional Development Consortium, and encouraging learning professionals in law to step outsides their comfort zones, by tackling some Difficult Conversations.
And so… This summer, I encourage you to try something new. Make small changes that take you out of the every day and familiar, but aren’t too emotionally challenging. Change your daily and/or work routine. Add newness to your life. Be open to different experiences. Some amount of small-scale stress and anxiety can be valuable when it’s time to transition, grow, and transform.
Maybe you’ll leap from a tall rock – or simply try a new flavour of ice cream. The great news is that it’s up to you.
Cheers,
Sarah
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