You’ll like this one, Adeline is involved in the story.

Last week we took Adeline to gymnastics tryouts, which seems crazy for someone who is still a few months away from 4 years old.

She’s been doing gymnastics for a couple years now and loves it, particularly when her favorite coach is there with her.

But that coach wasn’t involved in this tryout. Instead it was a bunch of other kids she didn’t know and coaches she’d never met.

She can be apprehensive about trying new things, so for weeks leading up to it we built up the excitement of being invited to try out with the big girls.

And it worked! For the week or two leading up to it she was excited.

That is…until it was time to step on the mat.

First she didn’t want to leave us. So I held her hand and walked her up to the new coach, who held her hand and ultimately carried her over.

Then she sat on the mat absolutely sobbing, refusing to move or do any of the warm up exercises.

Jami and I both sat over on the side contemplating how terrible of parents we were for sitting there while she sobbed.

Eventually one of the coaches, the very first coach she had when she was 18 months old, sat with her for a little while. She talked to her, calmed her down, got her some water, and got her to start doing some of the stations.

A minute or two later she was a brand new kid.

After 10 minutes of sobbing, she finished the rest of the hour with a big smile on her face and the dad pride kicked in.

Not only did she have fun, she killed it.

And here’s the most important part - she was SO PROUD of herself.

She was scared. She was sobbing. She wanted to quit.

But she stuck it out, had an incredible time, and left with enormous pride and confidence.

I think there are 3 really important and valuable lessons we can pull from this little girl’s experience.

Face the discomfort

It’s easy, often instinctive, to flee to comfort. It’s harder but far more rewarding to sit in the discomfort of a situation.

As entrepreneurs it’s imperative that we be willing to face discomfort, because it comes with the territory.

We have to try new things. Challenge old belief systems (especially around hard work and money). Take risks that we may not love.

We have to stick it out when it sucks rather than escape to the comfort of a steady paycheck.

That’s why the second lesson is so invaluable.

Lean on your support system

Adeline had her coach to guide her. She had her parents who love and support her. And she had her peers in the class who could show her that if they could do it, she could too.

Entrepreneurship can often feel very isolating and lonely, particularly because we usually start as solopreneurs.

And when the discomfort hits, when the stressors come, when the impossible decisions arise, that’s where it’s especially important to have that support system.

If you don’t have that around you, go find it.

Go to events. Meet others who have similar goals, aspirations, and experiences. Have real conversations.

And if you aren’t sure where to find them, reach out! It’s the exact reason why the Becoming Kinetic community exists - to provide entrepreneurs with a home where they can receive the education, support, and relationships they need to thrive.

Because that all acts as a catalyst to the third lesson…

The rewards (internal and external) are sweet

We have no idea what the outcome of the tryouts will be. And frankly it doesn’t matter.

When we took her to get ice cream and celebrate after, she was absolutely glowing with pride. Because she proved to herself she could do it.

That’s the beauty of facing the discomfort and pushing through.

Are there external rewards? Hell yes. Turning a profit and blessing someone else with your product or service is magical.

But I’d say the internal rewards are greater. You prove it to yourself that you can stick it out, that you did it, and that you can do it again.

Do it scared

Whatever obstacle is in front of you right now, whatever the big scary barrier that you have to break through, do it.

Future you will thank you for it.

And if you’re open to sharing it, hit that reply button and let me know what obstacle you’re working to overcome!