The week before last we packed up the kiddos and headed to New Hampshire to visit some family and do some snowboarding.It was cold.I mean crazy cold.How cold?
The family we were staying with had a dog.My wife and I, ever eager to help, offered to take the dog out for a walk.On that walk, we discovered a new definition for REALLY COLD.
REALLY COLD:When it is so cold that your eyelashes freeze together so you can’t open your eye.
It was nuts.
-17 with real feel temps at -38.
But we braved the mountain, nonetheless.
In the car ride to NH, I told my kids that I expected them to fall.I told them that I’d be disappointed in them if they didn’t fall.Why?Do you know?
If they don’t fall snowboarding, they aren’t learning.They aren’t trying new things.They aren’t growing.They’re playing it too safe.
We pointed out the same thing to my little guy after his basketball game last night. You ended the first half with no fouls.Zero.You’re playing it too safe.Push it.
So, after the first day, my oldest came right after me.
“How many times did you fall today?”
I had to stop in my tracks.(Not for long or my boots would freeze to the ground)
I hadn’t fallen even once.Come to think about it, I hadn’t even come close to falling.
On day two, I started to push it, a little.Almost right out of the gate, I found myself face planted into the cold cold snow.As I brushed myself off, I saw my oldest about 100 feet down the mountain with his arms up cheering my success.
I say success here on purpose.We aren’t outcome driven.I don’t judge my kid on how many baskets he scores.I judge him on how many good shots he takes.I don’t judge myself on how well an email goes over.I judge myself on writing the email.
Falling meant that I was truly working.I was growing.
What are you doing to push it?Are you going through PA school in the comfort zone of how you handled undergrad?Or are you growing?
Well, it isn’t for everyone.Most people are very happy staying right where they are (even if where they are stinks.You know it.You’ve seen it.)Change is difficult.It isn’t for most people.
Here’s where you decide.Are you happy staying you forever?If you are, that’s great.If you’re not, though…If you’d like to join me in looking for more, let’s get started.
Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace
