Turn fear into enthusiasm.
Imagine a parent sneaking up on their child from a distance (goal: to administer a round of tickles) . About halfway to their goal they announce their intent with a wide-eyed yowl and a rapid gate. Many children scream, cover their body, fall back and brace themselves, or maybe run away...oh, but not my son. In a matter of milliseconds he stands straight up, opens his arms, widens his eyes, screams at the top of his lungs (in the toddler intimidation sort of way), and runs full speed ahead TOWARD his attacker. What does the parent do? First, protect any "goods" now vulnerable to toddler onslaught. Second, brace themselves for the fast furry of a 35 lb toddler. Third, scoop the child up.
What happened in the scenario above? My son TOOK power. Without knowing any different he saw change coming and met it head on with excitement and as a result the game was transformed.
Fear and excitement are first cousins. Think about it, are there fearful things that you find thrilling? Roller coasters, scary films, fast driving, attempting to find lemonheads in Kirtland at night (that one is for all my NE Ohio peeps)...all of these things invoke intense fear and/or excitement. What is the difference between these two feelings? With excitement we make a choice to acknowledge the fear and then embrace it.
We all have the power to choose.
Imagine a parent sneaking up on their child from a distance (goal: to administer a round of tickles) . About halfway to their goal they announce their intent with a wide-eyed yowl and a rapid gate. Many children scream, cover their body, fall back and brace themselves, or maybe run away...oh, but not my son. In a matter of milliseconds he stands straight up, opens his arms, widens his eyes, screams at the top of his lungs (in the toddler intimidation sort of way), and runs full speed ahead TOWARD his attacker. What does the parent do? First, protect any "goods" now vulnerable to toddler onslaught. Second, brace themselves for the fast furry of a 35 lb toddler. Third, scoop the child up.
What happened in the scenario above? My son TOOK power. Without knowing any different he saw change coming and met it head on with excitement and as a result the game was transformed.
Fear and excitement are first cousins. Think about it, are there fearful things that you find thrilling? Roller coasters, scary films, fast driving, attempting to find lemonheads in Kirtland at night (that one is for all my NE Ohio peeps)...all of these things invoke intense fear and/or excitement. What is the difference between these two feelings? With excitement we make a choice to acknowledge the fear and then embrace it.
We all have the power to choose.
