When You’re Afraid to Fall: What Skiing Taught Me About Business Growth

“It’s time to try it from the top of that slope now, Becky”  

No way, absolutely not. No thanks.

I’ve been having skiing lessons (on fake snow with a group of strangers, it’s much less fancy than it sounds). During my 2nd lesson, the group were progressing to the very top of the slope. It’s steep. It’s fast. It’s….not for me. I’d had a bit of a wobble and couldn't slow down, landing hard on my ass, and it put me right off. Everyone was staring at me (they weren’t), the coach was annoyed at me (he wasn't), I didn't really want to ski anyway (I did). So I watched like a lost child at the bottom while everyone else, including my hubby, got on with it. I’d already fallen off the lift like a t*t, and I'd just had enough of this stupid, impulsive idea of a family sport.

It takes courage to get back up.

On the way out, my hubby suggested that I have a 1-1 because we’d already agreed to join friends for a couple of days on a ski trip. I actually had to do this. I started by apologising in advance for how stupid and rubbish I would probably be, and begging the coach not to let me fall down the hill. He asked me what I wanted out of the hour, and I said, "I think I just want to know I can stop and not die". It felt really dramatic, but I meant it. He didn't laugh or make me feel silly. He just promised he wouldn't let me die, and I immediately felt I could trust him. Long story short. I did it. That 1-1 attention, pinpointing my errors and weaknesses in a patient and supportive way, helped me quickly correct the issues. I understood the why, the how, and what I personally was doing wrong. It turns out it was just loose boots, a weaker left leg and my mindset! It seemed so simple. Why did I overthink it? I couldn't see it, but my coach could because he knew what to look for.

It dawned on me that this felt a lot like business. The way we hold ourselves back is because we are worried about what people will think when we fall or look clumsy. The people around us look like they have their shit together, and we just can't nail the basics. We shy away and stay in our comfort zone. But I embraced the discomfort and trusted the coach. Am I a master at skiing? No (not yet). Did I progress enough to ski with my friends and family? Absolutely, Yes!

Have you ever felt like this in your business? If you’re nodding along because you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just fed up in your comfort zone, you’re not alone. Sometimes, all it takes is the right coach to spot what’s holding you back and guide you past it, just like my ski instructor did for me. Whether it’s me or another coach who gets what it’s like to run a business with an ADHD brain, don’t be afraid to reach out for that 1-1 support. You might be just a couple of tweaks away from finding your flow and stabilising your business finance and systems.

Take care of yourself

Becky, The ADHD Money Mentor

Why not try stepping out of your comfort zone today and grab my free bonus gift for subscribers: The Honest ADHD Guide to Facing Your Finances (Even If You’re Dreading It).