I have watched my little boy stand and fall down, take a step and fall down, use a walker and fall down.  Yet still, he keeps on standing and trying to walk.  He gets frustrated sometimes and resorts to crawling to get where he wants to go faster, yet he keeps on trying.  He has no idea what experiences are waiting on him, like how much fun it will be to run around and play football with his mates, or run and play with our dog, but he still keeps on trying.  He sees us walking so he knows it can be done and if we can do it then he will too.  Naturally, sometimes he has a big tumble, has a cry and needs a cuddle, but it doesn’t take long until he’s pushing me off, sliding back down to the ground and giving it another go.

In life, how many of us have lost this drive.  We really want to do something, whether it’s setting up a new business, taking up a new hobby, or trying to get better at something.  However after one or two failed attempts, we decide we aren’t any good at it and we quit.  We’ve all done it, yet how many grown ups do you see that are able bodied yet haven’t learned to walk yet?

When we were babies, how far removed would it have been to think (if we could have at that time) that in a few short years, we’d be learning a new language and how to communicate, draw, play, manipulate our parents, walking, running etc.  That’s a pretty tall order, yet once again – how many adults do you know who didn’t accomplish this?

So why do we think that learning a new skill, a new language, starting up a new business etc is something we can’t do?  I watched my son take his first unaided steps today, he overbalanced soon after, but I know it won’t be long until he puts one foot in front of the other and makes it look easy.  I see it too often in my work, someone is outgoing, fun and has a great work ethic; I know they’d be amazing at what we do but life has just beat them down one too many times and they’re scared to take the plunge to even start.  So they don’t and nothing changes for them.

I would love for someone reading this to think about something they’ve wanted to do for a long time, then dig deep, take that leap of faith and do even just one thing today that moves them closer to achieving it.  If you don’t manage it perfectly first time around, just remember how many failed attempts a child usually takes at learning to walk.  If they gave up after the first few, you know how much of life they’d miss out on, who knows what amazing experiences are waiting for you to open the door to them!

Go for it!