In my teens, I competed in snowmobile high-speed radar runs (sponsored by Northern Telephone High Speed Internet in 2002!) on frozen Lake Temiskaming riding a highly-modified Arctic Cat ZRT 1000 sled in the open class category.
Revving the engine and giving a couple jumps on the sled to push the spikes into the smooth ice, I had to summon immense courage.
Competing in this male-dominated event was a significant goal for me, pushing me beyond my comfort zone.
The race began, and I focused entirely on the straight icy path ahead. The snowmobile’s speed was intense, and every tiny adjustment to the handle bars mattered.
Bravery, much like physical muscles, is built over time through exposure to challenging situations. Keeping my thumb pinned down to achieve top speed in spite of the wind increasingly beating on me, and feeling like every small bump on the ice was going to veer me off course was challenging, but I squeezed the throttle as hard as I could.
My first place victories on the ice became core memories and encouraged me to continue taking risks - solidifying the value of courage in my life, at work, and on behalf of the teams I have led. It’s easy to be a good leader when work is easy, it’s hard to be a good leader when times are challenging. If you can keep your thumb on the throttle in spite of the challenges you grow and you will be noticed.
#HighSchoolWisdom
