Let me start out by being honest! When I first was asked to participate in a “Stretch Yourself” Challenge, I freaked out a bit. Yes! When I think of “stretching myself,” I think of something else I have to do that I don’t have time for.
Now, this particular challenge is to work on my own business. And, yes, I know it sounds strange to say I don’t have time for that. But, when you are a service provider it can be hard to concentrate on what will make you money instead of making your clients money.
I decided to think back to a time when I really stretched myself and was scared to death. However, I wanted to think back to something that helped me grow and change for the better! That time was 2007 and white water rafting!
White Water Rafting with 35 Teen-aged Girls
In 2007 I was asked to be the camp director over a church camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee. One of my responsibilities was planning a high adventure for 35, 16-17-year-old girls. I wanted to know what they wanted to do for the adventure. They talked about how the Boy Scouts always got to go white water rafting but they never got to. It was something they really wanted to do.
First of all, you need to know that I am a desert rat! I was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico where there is NO water. We get 7 inches of rain in a year (if we’re lucky). I never learned how to swim. And to this day, I am not a strong swimmer. However, I decided to not let that bother me. My thinking was, “Well, one of the other leaders can always go.”
I worked VERY hard and got the trip approved for these 35 girls. They were very excited! Then the real stretching began! We had to have a certain number of adult leaders and all the girls wanted me to go. My head was screaming, “NO! I have three small children! They need their mother! I don’t want to die!” These sweet girls wanted me to go because I worked so hard to get it approved.
I really struggled with it! I really was scared to death! “What if one of the girls gets hurt? What if I drown? What if I fall out of the boat and smack into a big rock?”
The first thing I did was to pray for help. Then, I picked leaders to come that knew why I was afraid and how to support me. They didn’t make fun of me or belittle me, they supported me! I told them my fears and they helped me overcome them. I surrounded myself with good uplifting people.
I Went White Water Rafting and Lived!
The day finally came! And yes, I overcame my fear and stretched myself. This picture is of me literally stretching myself and getting into the boat!
One of the great things about being the leader is you get to ride in the last raft with the best white water guide. I didn’t know at the time. That way I was able to keep an eye on all the boats ahead of me to make sure that none of the girls floated away.
And you know what, after all the planning and stretching, I had a great time! The girls and leaders had a great time! Every single one of us was stretching ourselves. That was the whole point of doing a high adventure.
Stretch Yourself Challenge
This month I am participating in a challenge that helps me stretch myself in my business. Is it as scary as white water rafting? In some ways, yes! I have not been that great about promoting my own expertise and experience. I am really good at promoting and talking about the value other people can bring to someone’s business. However, I am not good at talking about my own value.
Kelly McCausey and the other participants are supporting me in this challenge. You’re going to see some new blog posts from me. And, some other surprises! I would love for you to join me! Just click here to learn more!
What are some things you have done to stretch yourself? Something that takes you or has taken you outside of your comfort zone?