Friday thoughts #22 - Unusual paths to success

Good morning my superhero colleagues!

Part of my self-improvement plan meant dropping Netflix and picking up books. (For openness you should know I still have HBO and Disney+… but I am making some effort).
In addition, one of the courses I am engaged in requires background reading. 

In the past I hated to read. At school I struggled with it. For several years I was the only kid in class who had an assistant a couple of times a week to read aloud to her in the corner of the room. There was no teaching, training or help with it, it was just reading. I could see and feel my classmate’s heads swivel as I tripped over words. Later in the teen years, the class teachers would have students read paragraphs to the room. I sat with what I now know is anxiety as I waited for my embarrassing moment. And the most recent even of this happened in a training event when I was working at Aibel.
 
… So books and I have always had a difficult relationship. 
 
 
 
However: Just because you can’t do something well, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. And often that has been a major source of motivation for me.
 

• Bitten by a dog when I was a kid made me scared of them… So I harassed my mum for a dog until I got one
• An issue with heights, I took up climbing
• No good a public speaking, became an instructor and presented 3-5x a week

 
Sometimes the thing you are not good at will lead you to become great. Lean into the discomfort to learn more on the issues you may have and learn more about yourself.
 

• Having a dog has been a huge benefit to my life and family
• Climbing built strength and flexibility
• Being an Krav Maga instructor has giving me skills way beyond what people first imagine 

 
 
Be honest about your flaws. 
You become bulletproof when you are comfortable with them.

• I can’t read aloud as well as other, so what? If that is the worst thing people can say about me then I’m doing alright 😊

 
But at least now, if asked, I have the confidence to say “No, I am not comfortable with that” or warn with polite charm that the next few minutes may be either awkward or entertaining 😉
And although I have improved a lot, I still struggle with it.
I have 2 young kids, and something I will do is read to them… But I practice before. Not far from completely memorizing books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Where The Wild Things Are.
… Which meant the delivery becomes a theatrical bedtime masterpiece. They love it, they are happy, laughing and enjoying those moments… And it starts because I have a flaw. 
 
So today remember: Small, smart changes: Embrace some discomfort, it’s where growth occurs.
And have a nice day!
 
B