resistance, persistance, achievement

For those who know me you know that persistence is not a difficult task for me - sometimes even to a fault. But it was a bit more challenging when it came to something that was awkward, embarrassing and poking at my pride - and that something was learning how to ride a bike as an adult. After falling off and down the backyard hill at age 5, my mom said that come hell or high water I just wasn't having it - I was not getting back on. And so fast forward a few decades later and I've yet to learn how to ride a bike.

In an effort to invite more fun into my life and focus on me and things that make me happy I decided to add this to my bucket list and so I did. I found a place that offers adult bike lessons and despite them having a pretty good success rate after one class, I wasn't so lucky. I left lesson one feeling deflated and mentally challenged that I couldn't push through my own resistance. I also recognized the gift in this because as a Coach I work with people who face this same personal challenge all the time - so it was good to be back in those shoes and remember how hard it is. But after sulking about it for a day I decided this isn't any different than anything else I've tackled in my life. When taking on something completely new, especially if it involves any level of physical coordination, I'm a bit slow to get out of my head and allow my body to do it's thing but in time it clicks, I get it and I'm off and running. So why should this be any different?!

So I showed up to class/lesson #2 with a positive attitude ready to take 10 more classes if that's what it took - I was persistent and not going to give up. That class when better than the first and I left with a sense of progress and a bit of momentum which carried me to class #3. I was trying to not put the "3rd time's a charm" pressure on myself and instead let the lesson continue to wash over me until I had the moment where it all clicked and I could push off on my own on this damn bike. And by the end of class that's exactly what I did. Still holding on with a death grip and feeling a bit wobbly when I had to turn, I was riding - and clear across the parking lot too. So while I need some more practice to remain comfortable with it all I definitely broke through my own barrier of resistance and through persistence I successfully learned how to ride a bike. Finally.