A couple of weeks ago, I went camping with my riding partner who had been out-of-town all summer. Eventually, of course, the subject of riding came up. I told her, “I’ve almost got the switchback on Desert Classic. I just have one more obstacle to go and I’ll have it!”
She looked at me confused, “You already have it. You posted it on Facebook that you made it all the way up that switchback.”
“I did??”
“Yeah, you don’t remember?”
“No. Wait… Oh, now I remember! That must have been the day I fell and hurt my knee. I was so fixated on the fall that I COMPLETELY forgot I made it! Really? I made it? Crazy. I remember writing the post, but I can’t remember making it up the hill. How twisted is that?”
How often do we do that? Sell ourselves short on a big accomplishment just because of one little failure or setback?
And worse, holding ourselves back by adopting beliefs about our abilities based on the remembered failure instead of the forgotten triumph?
I’m sad to say that I didn’t ride that part of the trail last week because I was afraid to try it and fall. It didn’t help that my loving daughter kept telling me on my way out the door, “Don’t fall, Mommy! Don’t hurt yourself today!” All I could think about was falling; but recognizing that particular mind trap, I gave myself permission to start the season off on the easier part of the trail. I had a fabulous confidence building ride, and next time, I may feel good enough to take on that switchback again.
Just for fun, here’s my Facebook status from July 6th:
I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT! I rode up the switchback on DC without stopping or touching! The weather was FABULOUS, I saw TWO coyotes on the trail. Great ride! Up to the the halfway point when I wiped and smacked my knee, which now hurts like… well, let’s just focus on the positive. I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT!
Looks like I forgot to take my own advice, but better late than never.
How about you? When have you held yourself back by focusing on your failures instead of your accomplishments?
