Are you waiting for confidence before you move?

Last week the family and I went rock climbing, and I was reminded how confidence, believing you can do something, really works. 

The girls went first.  I watched as each made her way up the wall - encountering challenges, moving in and out of fear and courage,

They yelled out things like,

“I can’t.”

I want to come down.”

I feel unstable.”

I can’t find where to grab.”

I encouraged them, knowing they had climbed man-made rock walls before and could do it here.  

They eventually reached the top, proud of making it.

Then it was my turn. I geared up, ready for the route I’d watched them climb when our guide suddenly switched to a tougher one.  Ugh, my confidence wavered and fear showed up immediately:

“What if I can’t do it?  What if I fail?”

On my very first move, I slipped, and my left knee slammed into the rock.  Pain shot through me and for a short moment took my breath away. The confidence I had dropped.

I took a breath. “It’s ok. I’ve got this.”

Step by step, I searched for jagged edges and tiny ledges, balancing on my toes, holding tiny crevices with my fingers, and trusting myself. 

I was about to reach the top and I was searching, unable to see the way, having a hard time finding anything to grab.  By now I’d already understood where the girls were coming from.    

Then I heard our guide say, “Step up and trust yourself. It’s about balance”

After taking a breath, I did, and I made it!

And just like the girls, each move I made created the possibility for the next.  Not because it got easier, but because each step became a building block of confidence.

Standing at the top looking around was exhilarating, I was proud I’d made it.  It was challenging (way more than an indoor rock wall), and I did it!  I was excited and ready to do it again!

FREEDOM UNLEASHED TAKEAWAY:

• Confidence is a RESULT, not a Requirement, of ACTION.  Start, and confidence will follow. When you shift into action, confidence stops being the barrier.

• Only by being the climber, not the spectator – whether as an entrepreneur, leader, parent, or change-maker - do you grow, expand, and create freedom in every area of your life.

Where in your life are you ready to step into action and climb, building the confidence you’ve been waiting for?