The sport of skiing is one that I did not acquire until I was well into my twenties. My wife took me for the first time while we were engaged. I enjoy it but because I learned to ski later in life, I feel a certain amount of hesitance about pushing my limits. Skiing is an activity that allows for a good amount of self-policing. Generally speaking, there are no official representatives of the mountain telling you what trails to take. You need to have enough self-awareness to know if you’re a green circle, a blue square or a black diamond. Incorrectly gauging your level could have disastrous consequences. Despite this possible peril, most people make it down the mountain unscathed because they accurately police themselves.
It is amazing to me that in certain areas, the idea of self-awareness is ingrained and almost automatic. While in other places people are seemingly unable to see themselves at all. Perhaps it is the number of variables in the given situation. Or it is the perceived risk of bodily, emotional or social harm. Whether it is in sports, dating, business, school or any other area, we all know someone who does not know their own level. Either they think they’re an expert when they’re truly a novice. Or they think they should be on the bunny hill when they could truly handle or deserve so much more of an experience. Regardless of the situation, there are rewards to reaped from self-awareness.
So where do you belong in a particular area that means something to you? Are you a green, a blue or a black diamond? Take a real look inward and decide where you think you belong? Then take your self-assessment and bring it to people that you trust. Depending on the area, it may be worth it to take it to the streets and see what the common person thinks. Regardless of the outcome, the exercise is valuable because a map of Chicago is worthless if you’re lost in New York. Having a knowledge of where you are is a key component to getting where you want to go. Denial is not a strategy for progress.
So go out there and hit the slopes!
Pete
Huryk Unlimited 