This is a lesson from the swimming pool and also works if you have all your clothes on. It could be about trust, determination, building strength, commitment, and reaching your goal. It just depends on you.

Our thoughts can empower or imprison.

They empower when we try something new,

and they imprison when we let them convince us

to stay comfortable.

Skip Prichard
The Book of Mistakes

Returning to a pool after an absence of several decades involves more than getting a new bathing suit and goggles. It brings up all your memories of being in the water. Especially about being in the deep end.

I met a lady last week who entered the pool beside me in the Slow lane. She said that she preferred to stay along the side of the pool because she hadn't been swimming in some time.

After a few lengths, I noticed that she swam about three-quarters of the way towards the deeper end, pulled herself out on to the deck, and then walked back to the shallow end to start again.

After about thirty minutes, we each took a break to catch our breath.

I know that it looks silly what I do, she said. But I'm not certain that I can make it the full length. I need to have something to grab onto if I have to stop. Then I go back to the safer end and do it again.

She was still in the water when I finished, climbing out each time at the same distance.

I wonder what was she telling herself each time she climbed out? (Tweet This)
We have all been uncomfortable. It could happen when we walk alone into an event, start a new job, or travel alone for the first time. We are uncomfortable over and over again. As Prichard says in The Book of Mistakes, we are empowered or imprisoned by what we do with those thoughts and feelings. How often do we climb out when we are uncomfortable?

- How many times each day do we stop when we could have gone further?
- What do we get from believing that we are only capable of going three-quarters of the way? (Tweet This)
- When do we choose to stay safe in whatever we are doing instead of seeing how far we could go?

And most importantly, why are we afraid of getting to the other side? (Tweet This)

Now tell me your story of how you went further than you expected.


For you or for someone who is on the learning path:
The Book of Mistakes: 9 Secrets to Creating a Successful Future
Skip Prichard

will help guide you to the other side.