Reflection
I recall my 2003 BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): I had decided to begin competing in triathlons.
I was a good runner and decent biker but not a good swimmer.
I remember my first swim during the initial stages of my triathlon training. It took place at the Piqua, Ohio, YMCA. I was beyond nervous. I had no clue what I was doing. I was critically self-conscious as I walked up the hall toward the pool. The committee in my head was working overtime trying to talk me out of doing triathlons so I wouldn’t have to venture into this unknown sport called swimming.
I walked past this fear and got into the pool. I put on a pair of goggles for the very first time and looked at the other end of my lane, thinking, “I just need to swim to that wall, take a break, and then swim back. That can’t be that hard.”
Luckily, I chose a good time to be at the pool because it was just me and the lifeguard. No one else would be there to witness the humor I was about to create.
I pushed off the wall, swam, or at least thought I was swimming, and made it halfway to the other end. Then I swallowed some water and started gagging. I quickly stopped my swim and grabbed the rope, which served as a boundary for my lane. I gathered my composure and slowly backstroked my way to where this craziness had started. I clung to the wall, breathing profusely in hopes that the lifeguard had fallen asleep and missed the spectacle that had just taken place.
Then I heard the lifeguard’s voice, “Is this your first time swimming?”
I crawled out of the pool, walked up to the chair she was sitting in, and said, “Yes, and it is going to be my last.” She chuckled and said, “You’ll be OK. There is an older gentleman who comes to the pool every day at 7:30 AM, and he loves to help newcomers. Show up tomorrow at 7:30, and he will help you.”
Regardless of how embarrassed I was, I showed up the following day, quickly gravitated toward the ‘old guy,’ Martin, and told him I was a newcomer and needed lots of help. He immediately started giving me tips, and 21 years and almost 1000 miles of practice later, I am one of the old guys giving tips to the newbies when they enter the pool for the first time.
This thought came to me as I thought of the millions of people who want to lose weight, get in shape, and improve their health but are too afraid to show up at a gym because they are worried about how others may look at them.
Gyms and pools are full of people who were once newbies, and we will never forget that feeling. We usually go beyond the call of duty to make first-timers feel welcome.
If getting into shape and taking better care of your body is your 2025 BHAG, don’t let False Evidence Appear Real.
Whatever your BHAG, don’t let the fear of the unknown or the fear of failure prevent you from pursuing it and conquering it.
Get over yourself, suppress your fears, and get started. You won’t regret it.
Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
