Ever since I was 16 years old I had visions of me living in Florida, being a radio DJ and riding around town on my scooter. It is interesting how each of those pieces of the vision have happened although not all at the same time.
I went to college and majored in broadcasting and was a summer intern announcer in St. Louis for Suny 101 -- so the DJ part - check. I moved to Florida in 2011 -- so Fl - check. And just recently I added riding my scooter around town. The scooter part was a true process.
When I first moved to Florida last August I bought a scooter. And what a beautiful scooter it was. A Genuine Motor Scooter Company bike named Stella. It was a beautiful avocado green bike that was so so so so cute. AND it had gears while most scooters are automatic.
I was in love with the style and look of the scooter -- so much that I overlooked the part of having to shift gears. I felt sure I would get the hang of it. Well, I didn't. I never felt comfortable. I was afraid to be on it. And there I was with a scooter -- sitting in the garage. And I still had my vision of being a scooter girl. It created a lot of inner conflict for me.
It took a group coaching session where students from San Antonio, TX coached me around my disappointment in myself for not being able to get out on the road with the bike. All different options came up -- just give up, just keep practicing, trade in the scooter for an automatic.
I was really sitting on the fence on the whole concept. I was asked some great coaching questions -- and the truth came out. I was afraid.
Not afraid of death -- but afraid that if I traded in the scooter and couldn't get the hang of the automatic that I would be a "two-time scooter loser".
At least with the Stella -- I had an excuse of it being more complex than regular scooter. But what if, I got a different bike and it still sat in the garage?
I just took things step by step -- first step: would my scooter store do a trade for me? I didn't have to worry about if I was going to ride the thing -- I just had to discover my options. And, yes they would do a trade.
The next step was to create the goal of being able to ride outside the safety of empty parking lots. I set the goal of riding the scooter to the beach -- which is only 1 mile from my house. The main road to get there is a 45 mph road. I set the goal to ride the scooter to the beach and labor day was the day it needed to happen by.
The next step was to practice and get comfortable on the bike. And I did. My first venture out on the main road was a total of less than 1/10 of a mile. But I did it. I needed to keep celebrating my small successes to build the confidence that it was actually going to happen.
The overall key was having an accountability partner through the whole process. Thanks to Sammy Jo --- who I knew really cared about my success -- I had the perfect partner in place to share my progress.
I can say with a smile on my face -- that I am officially a scooter girl! I did it. I rode to the beach and around town the day before labor day. It was fun and exciting and such a thrill to accomplish my goal. And I have been riding ever since. The photo at the top of this post is me at the beach!
While my fear was real -- feeling like a loser if I didn't do it, afraid of what people might think of me...I challenged myself anyway. I knew I had to try, because if I didn't I might miss out on the fun of scooting around town.
What is a goal you have that you are ready to push through and face your fears?
I am SO proud of you, Jen!! Way to go. Your ability to push through your personal obstacles makes you SUPER COACH in my book! xo
Posted by: Natasha | September 10, 2012 at 10:53 PM