Trying New Things

Thank you for your support for my completion of the 5-Day Brave Visibility Challenge! I finished with a score of 480 points and 94 total actions. I had a fun week, and the challenge encouraged me to make a video for my clients about an upcoming workshop. Creating the video really stretched me as it was way out of my comfort zone!

Have you ever tried something new and had to keep starting over? That was my experience making the video: record the video, play the video, delete the video, start the video over. And over and over and over for a few hours! Honestly, I wanted to give up. Instead, I walked away, took some deep breaths and started again. It required many takes before I felt good sending it out. Creating something new wasn’t easy, but quitting wasn’t an option. 

Once I finished making the video, I realized that I hadn’t once criticized myself throughout the process. I didn’t engage in any negative self-talk– you know, all the harsh words we may say to ourselves when things aren’t going well. As I was taking breaks and deep breaths, I kept reminding myself that yes, I can do this! I used positive self-talk, encouraging reinforcement. The old me would’ve never done that–my people-pleasing skills wouldn’t have allowed it. 

When I reflected on the experience, I was pleased with how I handled it. My thought pattern had turned around. Our thoughts and the way we talk (or don’t talk) to ourselves matters. As Rachel Marie Martin says: Change your words. You are not failing. You are trying. You are not messing up. You are giving. You are not lost. You are discovering. Your words matter. Your words empower. Your words create. Choose wisely.

Making the video turned out to be a great exercise in self-discovery. I’m happy I didn’t cry or give up. I guess maturity is finally setting in for my seventies! (Ha!)

In the comments section, tell us about the last time you tried something new and the outcome.