Alexis, my 9 year old, was asking me all week to teach her how to ride a bike. Finally, I had time on Sunday to lower the seat on her sister’s bike and take her out. Alexis has never been on a two-wheel bike before.
Day 1 of Learning
When we got to the park, I realized she was expecting to learn how to ride the bike that day! When she didn’t get it after a few tries, she was upset. I told her it took me many days to learn to bike. It was the same for her older sister.
I actually thought because it was harder than she expected, she would quit after 20 min. I was WRONG! She kept trying and trying for over an hour. I took this video near the end of that hour. She was still barely getting on the bike.
She didn’t want to leave even though she had 3 falls and dozens of small hits from the pedal to her ankle. I know she was getting tired and bruised up. I told her it was totally normal to not get it on the first few days. Finally, we went home.
What I thought would happen next
She was sore that night. I told her let’s try it in a few days when her legs and ankle are better. I figured she would be healed by then and we can try again. She listened and then just looked at me and said, “can we go biking again tomorrow?” I said, we will see. I was pretty sure once she woke up more sore in the morning, she would rest for a few days.
Again I was wrong
Next day, she persisted all day while I was working asking, “can we go biking?” I finally had a break in my schedule at 3 pm. So I said yes. I again told her to not worry if she doesn’t get it. I was bracing for another day of start and stops like the first video.
Day 2 of Learning
We decided to just try it on our 3rd floor courtyard vs going all the way to the park. I repeated what I told her the first day – Push hard on one side before trying to pedal on the other side. Here is what happened next.
She literally just got on and after only a few tries, started biking. I couldn’t believe it. She told me she was thinking about it all night and it finally made sense. I was speechless.
How This Applies to All of Us
I share this with pride as a mom, but also as a lesson learned for myself and for you. With anything we try that is new in life, there is always an uncomfortable process called the learning period.
- It is up to us to even start the learning period. Many of us don’t even start anything new because we no longer want to be uncomfortable as adults. I would say focus on the outcome we want out of life instead of the discomfort. If we want that outcome bad enough, then we will start the learning period.
- It is up to us to keep going through that learning period when it feels hard and uncomfortable. This is the natural process of learning. Alexis could have easily quit due to the bruises she had, or the discomfort she felt of “not getting it.” She didn’t because she just really wanted to bike.
- It is up to us to trust that we will “get it”. That self-confidence will make the learning period worthwhile and shorter. Alexis never even questioned whether she could learn to bike. She could have easily said to herself, maybe I am just too short still to learn to bike. She could have also said biking is overrated. I don’t need to learn it. Those would have been lies to sooth herself if she quit. How many lies do we tell ourselves as adults because we are afraid to try and “fail?”
At the end of the day…
We are never too old to learn something new. We just need to remember that the discomfort through the learning process is expected. Whether we want to learn to bike, accept a new challenge at work, change careers, or start a new company, just remember to start taking action and keep going even when the process feel bumpy and uncomfortable. When we are determined to achieve the outcome, anything can happen.
I am always amazed at what I can learn from my kids. it’s their persistence despite setbacks that is always inspiring.
Your comments: Is there something you want, but has been too afraid to take action on? I hope this story will inspire you to take one step toward your dream. One step will become two. As long as you keep going, you will get there. I look forward to your comments
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Lei