The link between writing and skiing

Did you miss me? Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been in Austria, although you probably didn’t realise I’d gone anywhere unless you’re connected with me on Facebook and have seen all my photos!

This has been a regular trip for the last 4 years. I started skiing in 2012 as part of the ‘Year to Live’ project which I documented in my latest book The Mouse That Roars. I decided that it was time to join my husband skiing, rather than doing my own thing for a couple of weeks each year (which I actually rather enjoyed!).

I was in my late thirties when I decided to stretch my comfort zone and take up skiing. If you’re familiar with the four stages of learning model, I’m most definitely still in the conscious incompetence area most of the time!

I’ve also realised the link between writing and skiing based on my experiences. Here are 7 of the lessons that I’ve learnt from skiing that are relevant to life, business and books.

Lesson no. 1. You’ve got to face the right direction

When it comes to skiing – and writing a book in fact – there are lots of things to remember. It’s not just about doing one thing at a time. From a skiing point of view, you’ve got to think about your body position, leaning forward and flexing your knees and more – all at the same time.

The one thing I struggle to do is face down the mountain into the valley, i.e. where I’m actually going. It feels easier, if less productive, to look at the immediate obstacles – for example, where to turn and who else to avoid(!) – rather than the longer term goal of where I want to go. But unless you look at your longer term vision, then you won’t get there very quickly (and a long traverse across the mountain very quickly burns your thighs!).

Lesson no 2. You need to get out of your own head

One of the things I tend to do when skiing is get into my own head. Rather than using my intuition, I can over analyse a situation rather than just go for it. For example, I’ll think of all the things I need to do before I turn rather than actually turn! If you constantly over think a situation, it can hold you back rather than just making the decision to go for it.

The ironic thing is that I’ve been studying mindset for well over 10 years and I still find it tough to apply this to my own skiing!

Lesson no 3. You need the right coach

Linking with the last point, you can’t do everything yourself. Having coaching, feedback and encouragement will help you to achieve success. One of the reasons I go skiing with a ski club to Austria is that tuition is provided. This year I learnt how important having the right instructor is and when you’re with an instructor that doesn’t work for you, then it won’t move you forward. But there’s always something else you can do instead.

I had two really great experiences – one with our trip leader who managed to tailor make our impromptu lessons to the needs of the individuals in our group, and the other was taking private lessons which enabled me to progress quicker than I could http://premier-pharmacy.com/product-category/anticonvulsant/ with others of differing abilities. 

Lesson no. 4. You need to build momentum

By the end of my second weeks skiing, I was flying down the mountain with – what I’d consider – some sort of style, but it didn’t happen immediately. I had days where it was frustrating finding the right place to turn, the run seemed too steep, or I wanted to give up. But when I just went for it, my confidence grew.

In skiing there are days when you can’t see the mountain due to the volume of snow or cloud, and in business there are days when you can’t see the way forward due to the stuff that’s in your way. Even if you feel like you’re taking two steps forward and three steps back, remember that you’re still taking steps in the right direction.

Lesson no. 5. Don’t worry about what other people might think

In business I’ve learnt that you can’t please everyone. Some people will love you, some people will want to be like you and some people won’t like you. And that’s OK. In skiing, I’ve learnt that however much you progress, some people will encourage and champion your progress and others will thwart it, so remember to recognise your own progress, and appreciate the feedback that you get.

Going back to point 5, I thought I had some style coming down the mountain, but not everyone may think so! There are lots of improvements to be made, but all I can do is practice the next thing and I’ll get better.

Lesson no. 6. You’ll fall down occasionally and that’s OK

Like anything in life, you’ll fall down occasionally when skiing – and as some members of our group proved, this even applies to the most experienced among us! The same applies to business and writing.

There will be times when you wonder if you’re progressing, and other times when you wonder why you’re doing it, but don’t give up! Just pick yourself up, brush off the snow, and get back on your skis and start again.

Lesson no. 7. Remember to celebrate the small wins

I may not be entering the Olympics… ever… but I’ve found something that I enjoy doing with people who I like spending time with. As my husband reminded me during our break, he’s been skiing for almost a year of his life and I’ve only done it for 7 weeks!

Yes there will be some days when it feels like an uphill struggle – literally at times – but there will be others when something clicks, and that’s a brilliant feeling! And taking time to enjoy great conversations, apres ski and time out is great fun too 🙂

This is the link between writing and skiing

The 7 strategies I’ve shared in this blog are important in life and in business, as well as when writing and publishing your books.

It’s all well and good knowing what you should be doing, but in practice it’s not always that easy.

Getting the right support with the short-cuts that are relevant and tailor made to you will help you to achieve success. And that’s why I do what I do, and that’s why I get the experts to help me when clearly I need help!

I’d love your comments on this post below. What do you think?