"When was the last time you did something for the first time?" This question may sound cliché, but it holds a lot of significance for personal development and growth because it helps develop key behaviors and competencies, as well as helps in developing a leader identity. A few years ago, I decided to confront my long-standing fear of skiing. Engaging in winter sports is practically a Colorado imperative but I had somehow missed the memo and ended up an adult who did not know how to ski. At age 28 I faced my almost crippling fear of injury, death, or worse -- humiliation, and pushed myself to try it out. The lessons I learned changed the way I see personal growth and development.
Check your Ego at the Lodge
The first valuable lesson I learned as I began my skiing journey was to leave my ego behind. As someone who has always been a high achiever, it was tough to accept that I wouldn't be the best right away. In fact, I wouldn’t even be decent for quite some time. It was a humbling experience to pizza my way down the bunny hill as children, a fraction of my size, hurtled past me at full speed. Laughter and determination, despite occasional tears, became my tools to overcome insecurities. I embraced the idea that development is a process requiring time and practice, and a willingness to be the worst before becoming better. Inflated egos can blind leaders to their weaknesses and flaws, hindering effectiveness and growth by impeding their ability to recognize and address areas that need improvement (Percy, 2024).
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Cultivating a growth mindset proved to be essential in learning how to ski. A growth mindset is being in a constant state of flux, embracing challenges, learning from mistakes, and constantly improving. Studies show that success depends on one's willingness to develop, not natural abilities (Whitener, 2021). I soon discovered that achieving my goal of skiing down the mountain in a reasonable amount of time and taking on increasingly challenging runs required skills that would require a lot of practice over a long period of time. Therefore, I fully immersed myself in the learning process and was open to making mistakes and constantly seeking ways to improve, even if it meant looking foolish. I would ski down with only one pole balanced in front of me and played follow the leader behind my partner to learn how to draw a line down a mogul run. Although these drills might have looked silly, they contributed significantly to my progress. I still constantly seek ways to improve, knowing that there is always room for growth and self-improvement.
Perseverance is Key
The experience highlighted the significance of perseverance when acquiring a new skill. Enduring challenging days and overcoming numerous falls led to the immense satisfaction of progress, like having excellent form or finally conquering a difficult mogul run. The physical and mental exertion required hours of commitment and discipline, but the rewards were well worth the effort. Skiing down challenging runs now brings me a huge sense of accomplishment, even if I still need to give myself mid-mountain pep talks. Stepping out of my comfort zone not only improved my skiing abilities but also fostered personal growth and a newfound confidence that I can do hard things and I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Seek a Mentor
The final, yet arguably most pivotal, takeaway from this experience, was the significance of having a supportive and knowledgeable mentor—a lesson that extends beyond just learning a new skill and applies to all aspects of life. My partner, who is an experienced skier, played a critical role in my growth by sacrificing numerous days of ideal snow conditions to accompany me on beginner slopes, guiding me through drill after drill. His unwavering support, patience, and guidance were integral to my success, despite my many outbursts of frustration, anger, and doubt. He consistently demonstrated that I was more than capable, all I needed was to see myself as he saw me. I realized that having supportive and knowledgeable mentors is essential to succeeding in any endeavor. Mentors offer valuable insights and serve as impartial guides and teachers, drawing from their own experiences. The key is to be receptive to their advice, acknowledge their wealth of knowledge, and actively seek their wisdom. If you're a current CU Boulder student and looking for a mentor in leadership, I recommend exploring our mentorship program—the Boulder-CU Leadership Program!
The lessons I learned from skiing can be applied to any new, intimidating experience. Personal growth comes from accepting and exploring the unknown, leaving your ego behind, adopting a growth mindset, demonstrating perseverance, and finding a mentor to guide you. Whether it's skiing or another challenge, improvement requires stepping out of your comfort zone. My hope is that my journey inspires you to confront your fears and embrace new challenges because we can only progress by pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone.
Percy, S. (2024, February 20). A blessing and a curse: How can leaders manage their egos?. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypercy/2023/05/11/a-blessing-and-a-curs...
Whitener, S. (2023, September 12). The value of a growth mindset, and how to develop one. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/01/06/the-value-o...