Taking Inspiration From My Daughter

Two days ago my daughter Elsa (3 1/2) announced that she’d like to cycle herself to school - a local Chinese kindergarten just round the corner from where we live. Her bike was last year’s birthday present from her ayi (like a Chinese nanny). But Elsa never really got the hang of it before winter came. She would only pedal backwards. 

Now, I’m naturally quite an impatient person, and mornings -  before  the coffee has kicked in - are not my best time. But I knew it would be wrong to simply grab hold of the handlebars and drag an oblivious backwards-pedalling Elsa speedily to school. I forced myself to patiently explain to her the principles of forward motion.

She tried hard to comply, but our progress was shaky at best.  It took a full 15 minutes to navigate the mere 100 metres to the school, and we collided with a fair few parked cars en route.

So today I got the bike ready with a sinking heart.  But I was pleasantly surprised….in the space of 24 hours, Elsa had improved dramatically.  She was actually able to cycle unaided for a good portion of the way, and this time the neighbours’ cars survived unscathed.

I felt the ridiculously disproportionate pride of any parent witnessing their darling child doing something for the first time.

And it made me think. I was reminded of my “pancake post”. It’s basically the same message, but one that is worth repeating: we too often believe that our first attempt at something reflects all we are capable of.  It’s hard to plough on in our learning period, making mistakes  - and sometimes even going backwards! But Elsa had proven to me the amount of progress that could be made in just one day.  I resolved anew to push through my self-imposed comfort zones. 

Where are you too comfortable?  Set yourself a small goal that will expand your knowledge or develop a skill. What’s your equivalent of Elsa’s 100 metre bike ride?