being a beginner again

When I was in coaching school I remember one of the teachers saying it's good to pick up something new to learn each year to remind ourselves what it feels like to be a beginner again. Why? Well as coaches who help people create sustainable change often we're also helping them break bad habits, old patterns and create new ones and that's hard. That's being a beginner again. So to tap into what that feels like for our clients only makes us a better coach.

So with that in mind as part of my motivation in addition to me re-prioritizing my bucket list / ways to find fun in my life I set out on a mission this past weekend. I took a class that teaches adults to learn how to ride a bike. Yup, that's right -- when I was 5 apparently I fell off my bike and took a roll down the hill in the backyard and according to my mom I was absolutely NOT having it, I would not get back on that bike. So here we are 30 some years later and despite those who have tried -- telling me you just need to get on and pedal, it's that simple, I still can't ride (and apparently neither can 1 in 9 Americans).

At this point I'm able to see that there's a bit of fear and discomfort in the whole thing and as a result it's made me feel that much more motivated to overcome this fear and break free of my limiting thoughts. So that's my inspiration -- that in breaking free of my limiting thoughts I'll push through to the freedom and exhilaration that will come when I'm comfortably and confidently pedaling through the warm breezes of southern california. So while it's great I have this vision because I know that's one of the first steps, it still feels incredibly hard to get to it. I've always been somewhat of a slow learner, especially when it comes to coordination type things that seem to come quite easily to most others - biking, swimming, skiing, etc. I've always required more attention and 1:1 focus than others to truly pick something up. I'm told that I master the process and skills quite easily but because my head is working so hard at THINKING, it takes me a while to truly get out of my own way enough to FEEL in flow and see that I truly CAN do it.

And the bike lesson was no different. While it was disappointing because I was so hopeful going in, I also managed my expectations knowing this is how I learn - slowly but surely - and that it was just fine if I walked away needing/wanting another lesson (or 10 for that matter). So that's where I'm at, I'm one lesson in and motivated to take another and slowly but surely chip away at this until I'm cruising down the Santa Monica bike path in style. And all along the way I'm grateful to be reminded of the pain and fear that comes with pushing through our own limitations to learn something new....and for that alone I know I'm better off.

What's something new that you can try?