Are You Scared of Heights Too? Here’s How I Turned That Fear into a Business Lesson

Personal Story: Facing the Fear

Hey there, have you ever been scared of heights? Like, just the thought of looking down from a tall building makes your stomach churn? Well, that was me. From as long as I can remember, heights gave me the heebie-jeebies. But here’s the crazy part: I’ve always been fascinated by airplanes and flying. It’s like, how can something so big and heavy stay up there? And the idea of piloting one myself? That was both terrifying and thrilling.

So, early in my career, when I was young and adventurous, I decided to take the bull by the horns and learn to fly. I thought, maybe if I face my fear head-on, I can conquer it. Plus, it’s always been a dream of mine to fly.

The Trial Lesson: A Spin Out of Control

Alright, so I booked my first trial lesson. I was excited and nervous at the same time. The instructor seemed nice enough, and we went through the basics: controls, safety procedures, that sort of thing. Then, we hopped into the plane, and off we went.

Now, I was not expecting what happened next. After some basic maneuvers—left turns, right turns—the instructor warned me that we were going to do something a bit more intense. Before I knew it, we were in a spin. Like, the plane was spinning around and around, and my world just went topsy-turvy. It felt like the ground had disappeared, and everything was whirling in front of me. I remember grabbing the instructor’s leg in desperation, thinking that would somehow stabilize things. Luckily, he was kind and brought us out of the spin after just a couple of rotations.

That experience was intense, to say the least. But I had to continue with the lesson. There was no backing out; I was up there, and I had to see it through.

Lesson Learned: Perseverance in Business

From that day, I learned a valuable lesson: when you’re challenged, you can’t just give up. You have to face it, deal with it, and keep moving forward. It’s especially true in business. Running a company is no walk in the park; there are always going to be challenges, some expected, some that blindside you. But it’s your will to survive and your preparation that will see you through.

Think about it: in that plane, if I had freaked out and tried to take control or something, it could have been disastrous. But because I trusted the instructor and kept my cool (sort of), we made it through safely. Similarly, in business, you need to trust your instincts, have a plan, and be prepared to adapt when things don’t go as expected.

Adapting to Technological Changes

Now, the world is changing faster than ever, especially with technology. It’s easy to feel like the ground is spinning beneath your feet, just like in that plane. But you know what? You can’t ignore it. You have to learn to deal with it, to understand it, and to use it to your advantage.

Just like in my flying lesson, there are instructors—mentors, coaches, experts—who can guide you through the turbulence. You don’t have to go it alone.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the changes or the challenges in your business, remember that spin I went through. It was scary, but I survived, and I learned from it. You can do the same.

Fast forward to today, and the business landscape is spinning just as fast, if not faster, thanks to technology. It’s easy to feel like you’re losing control or that you’re going to be left behind. But just like in that plane, if you stay calm, trust your instincts, and have the right guidance, you can navigate through it.

Take technology, for example. It’s evolving at a breakneck pace. What was cutting-edge yesterday is obsolete today. But instead of being intimidated, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Find mentors or resources that can help you understand and implement new technologies in your business.

Remember, in my flying lesson, the instructor was there to guide me through the spin and ensure my safety. In business, you have similar resources: industry experts, online courses, networking events, and so on. Use them to your advantage.

So, don’t be afraid to take that first step, whether it’s learning to fly or embracing new technologies in your business. The initial fear is natural, but the rewards are worth it.

After the spin, when we leveled out, I remember feeling a mix of relief and accomplishment. Sure, it was scary, but I had survived it. And somehow, the rest of the flight seemed less intimidating. It’s like, once you’ve faced your worst fear and come out okay, everything else doesn’t seem as bad.

In business, it’s the same. When you’ve navigated through a crisis or a major challenge, you gain confidence that you can handle whatever comes next.

So, don’t be afraid to take risks or face challenges head-on. It’s through those experiences that you grow and become a better entrepreneur.

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