Roll with It.

If you’re a child of the 80s then it’s highly likely you spent your childhood rolling around on four wheels.

My Friday and Saturday nights were spent at Yukon on Wheels, a local rink where my cousins frequented.

I remember holding their hands and rolling between the two of them as I’d lower down and kick one foot out to “shoot the duck." WIth them by my side, I felt like I could do anything.

The more I skated, the more my confidence grew until skating felt like flying and came easily to me.

So when my niece asked me to accompany her and her friends to the roller skating rink for her birthday, I said ABSOLUTELY!

Let's be honest, who knows how many more times she’ll ask me to tag along. 😢

Let me tell you - skating at 38 is NOTHING like skating at 5.

The confidence that I’d once exhibited had waned. I was rusty and out of practice. But with time, it felt like flying again.

As I watched these avid skaters go round and round the rink, I began to notice a few things: 

1. Confident skaters don’t get tripped up. When you’re gliding along hand-in-hand it’s easy for someone who is shaky to pull you down with them. Not to mention other skaters who cut you off, tumble in front of you or speed past. Confident skaters are so sure of their skills and abilities that they know what maneuvers to make to prevent getting tripped up. 
    

2. Confident skaters know when to let go. Look, it’s hard to let go of people you love. You might think you’re helping them learn but in reality you’ve become their crutch. Neither can skate to their fullest potential when holding on. Knowing when to let go is a sign of strength.
    

3. Confident skaters hone their skills. When the skate challenges take place, the confident skaters are the first on the rink. They hone their skills in backwards skate, “shoot the duck,” and more. Those less confident sit on the sidelines and don’t try to improve. 
    

4. Confident skaters roll with changes. “Shoot the duck” doesn’t look like it did in the 80s, but confident skaters don’t let change keep them from doing the thing they love. Instead, they roll with it and keep showing up.

It was easy for me to see the parallels between the confident skaters and confident individuals.

Confidence in your own skills and abilities makes it easier to navigate the ups and downs of work, home and life in general.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Where am I getting tripped up?

• Where can I let go?

• How can I hone my skills?

• Where can I embrace change?

One day we’re 5 and gliding across the rink. The next, we’re 38 and can barely get the courage to lace up a pair of skates. Life happens, friend. 💛

The good news is coaching can help. If you find yourself lacking confidence or clarity as you contemplate what’s next, reach out. I’d love to work together.