What Snowboarding Taught Me About Life

Yesterday I spent 7 hours learning to snowboard and what I learned has shifted my mindset.

Leading up to the trip, others projected their beliefs onto me. Snowboarding is difficult, why bother when skiing is easier and faster?

Ignoring the limitations of others, and having complete confidence in my ability, I turned up with no sign of doubt. Delusional optimism? Maybe. Conviction in my ability? Definitely. Regardless, the day began.

We start as a group of 6, three men in their 20’s and three in their 40’s. As we begin learning the fundamentals, I quickly pick it up. Balancing on the board, speeding up and slowing down on both edges. Feeling more comfortable with every run on the slope and experimenting with turning without being taught with some success. It came naturally, in complete flow with the board.

2 of the men drop out after the initial phase. The instructor progresses to teaching us how to turn. This is when it became difficult. You pick a leading leg, pointing your knee outward, twisting your body. Head up and back straight through a series of movements until you complete a turn.

I couldn’t do it.

All that confidence, the joy in success at the early stages, was slowly beginning to fade.

The natural ability previously there seemed to disappear. The movement felt forced, my body fighting with the board, the snow and itself. The other 3 in the group pick it up fairly easily.

Typically we reach the bottom of the slope, unclip the board and walk back up. But I couldn’t wait that long. I sprint back to the top, getting in as many reps as possible. Each time completing part of the turn and sliding down to the slope uncontrollably. Other times crashing into the snow

With each failure, my ego takes a hit but my determination increases. I was locked into a battle with my mind.

5 minutes go by, then 10, then 20. Sitting at the top of the slope, sweaty and exhausted, wondering what’s missing. It dawns on me, “Maybe I’m coming at this all wrong”

Up to this point, I analysed every aspect of the movement but didn’t consider one vital step.

The direction of the turn.

Assuming that the direction I chose was the right way. Maybe it was, or maybe that was the issue all along.

So I change direction. Instantly the turn felt more natural and although I still fell, it came much easier than before.

3 attempts later and I pull it off. After battling it out and losing - a lot. The taste of victory was sweet but the war was not over yet.

The confidence returned, multiplied. Now linking turns and changing directions. I was fucking ecstatic. We hit the bigger slope and I’m flying, ready to take on the Alps in 2 weeks.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because I learned some valuable lessons that day.

Ignoring the limitations of others

Other people's beliefs, especially on an experience you are yet to have, can cloud your judgment. If you cannot put their perspective to the side, it can be detrimental to your ability and view.

Let’s look at a simple example. If you mentioned a movie you want to see and one of your friends mentions they weren’t a fan, does this make you less likely to want to watch it? Even if you do watch it, will you have tinted glasses, looking for the faults they mentioned?

The above example uses a movie, which has little significance in life. But if others can have a degree of influence over the little things, think of the impact they have on things that truly matter.

It’s time to take your power back.

If you do not cultivate a strong mindset, not allowing the judgements of others to seep in, you set yourself up for failure.

Imagine if I listened to everyone who mentioned how hard snowboarding would be. If I went into the lessons with a preconceived idea that it would be difficult, how well do you think I’d have done?

Other people are not you, they do not know your ability, their limitations are not yours, and their perceived reality is not the truth.

Trust your judgement, learn from personal experience and develop strong self-belief. You are the only thing standing in your way.

Failure is not the end

I failed, a lot. More often and quicker than ever before. Most are scared of failure, not because of the failure itself. But because of the meaning they prescribe to it. Mistaking failing for being a failure. For the judgement passed by others and by themselves.

The 2 gentlemen who dropped out were not up for the challenge. Not the challenge of snowboarding, but the battle within. They give up, as do many others when they do not succeed. If you fall into this camp, disarm your fear. Fear is a signal to march on, not to retreat.

Failure is nothing but experience, a valuable teacher. It is where warriors are made, strength is forged and character developed. Do not seek to remove fear, but to act in its presence.

Failure is not the end, but the beginning of growth. Do not mistake a hurdle for a black hole. Every worry you have is a figment of your imagination, warping your view.

Become a student of life and you cannot fail, only learn.

Direction matters

Turning one way made the challenge 10x harder because I wasn’t naturally suited to it. The other flowed and made the movement easier. Our direction in life is made much more difficult if it is not aligned with our natural advantages.

We each possess unique skills and experiences which make certain directions better suited.

There are two paths up to the top of the mountain. One has stairs or a cliff face. Both paths take you to the desired destination but one requires a lot more work, pain and suffering than is necessary.

Sometimes we take the wrong path. Some continue the climb out of fear of turning back. Others pivot and find a new path. Some stop climbing altogether.

Leveraging your innate abilities on the path of discovery, growth and actualisation and choose a path suited to your gifts. Otherwise, the journey becomes a lot more treacherous

Michael Jordan leverages his physical stature, incomparable self-belief and insane work ethic to become the greatest basketballer of his generation.

JK Rowling leverages her ability to write, capture emotion and tell stories to create a fantasy series loved by the masses

Alan Watts leveraged his ability to break down complex concepts simply to share wisdom.

You have unique abilities within.

So how do you position yourself to take advantage of these abilities?

Life is a game

At the start of some games, there is a character selection process, with each possessing specific traits. As the game progresses you choose weapons, skills and playstyles. Catering for that specific character’s advantages and disadvantages.

In life, we don’t choose at the start but our experiences, background, environment and character develop these specific traits.

As the player, it is your responsibility to recognise these advantages and disadvantages and play the game accordingly.

First, you must understand what those advantages are. Greatness leaves clues. Moments when your gifts reveal themselves. Times where others recognise you have a gift for connecting with people or problem-solving. There are thousands of examples. You must discover your innate gifts and cultivate your life, career or business around them.

Starting points for advantage discovery

What seems easy to you but hard for everyone else?

What have people complimented you on?

What are you naturally curious about?

What situations have you done well without considerable effort?

Ask those closest to you about your strengths

As always, Stay curious.

Morgan Bedford