Micro Risks in Work & Life
“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.”
- Lucille Ball
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to listen to Ambika Sing, Founder of Armoire, speak on the growth of her company. She is transforming the apparel industry with the concept of renting clothes, versus owning clothes. Ambika spoke about taking micro risks, intentional, calculated risks to move toward your goals and dreams.
A turning point in my life happened sixteen years ago this month as Kelly, my wife, and I decided to take two risks. First getting married and second, opening Experience Momentum, both occurring in September of 2010. I left a very stable and enjoyable job to pursue the possibility of creating something with deeper meaning and purpose - thus the birth of Experience Momentum. One of my favorite movies is the 1989 film "Field of Dreams" starring Kevin Costner, who portrays an Iowa corn farmer. I grew up in a small, one stop-light farm town in Iowa and in the movie, there are several parallels to my life including one moment when Ray (Kevin Costner’s character) hears a voice say, "if you build it, they will come,” calling him to build a baseball field in the middle of his cornfield. I still remember to this day Kelly and I sitting at the front desk of our own little field of dreams with no customers and no employees wondering how this would turn out. The sole purpose for Experience Momentum's existence is to provide services to help create breakthroughs in lives. Taking that first step as a startup company was a scary one, and truth be told to this day each additional step we take still is. However, 16 years later we are still in existence, serving thousands of clients over the years and growing our team to almost 80 amazing team members to help us live our mission. I would be remiss not to mention our team members, I believe we have one of the best teams on the planet. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t feel gratitude for all their passion, dedication to being the best they can each day, and for collaborating with each other to enhance the experience of anyone who comes through our doors.
There is only one reason Experience Momentum has grown and continues to grow: it is because you, our customer, have trusted us. Whether you were recovering from an injury, working to improve your health or fitness levels, or even working to find and create enriching relationships, you have trusted us to serve you. I am beyond grateful to you, and my heart is full because of you. I will continue to work hard to earn your trust, create services that fit your needs, and listen to your feedback. Experience Momentum is not only a field of dreams, but a glimpse of what is possible in life. I am so excited to see where the next 16 years will take us and am excited for you to be a part of this journey with us.
Lessons Learned
As I reflect on the past 16 years, I have grown tremendously in who I have become as a friend, son, father, husband, CEO, and overall human. Mistakes and failing have been my greatest asset in this growth. Below are some snapshots into what I have learned on this journey of life, I hope there might be some nuggets to help you on yours.
Be Present - Try to sit quietly for five minutes being completely present to the moment without a thought entering your mind. So simple, yet so challenging. Life is a series of ebbs and flows, there will be highs, there will be lows, like the ocean tides. Don't get too high and don't get too low but be present to what is. "Being fully present isn't something that happens once and then you have achieved it; it's being awake to the ebb and flow and movement and creation of life, being alive to the process of life itself." - Pema Chodron
Expectations - Get rid of them. You are exactly where you are supposed to be, always! This can be a challenge when we think we should be somewhere else. I recently read an article on frustration and how it boils down to this equation: EXPECTATION - OBSERVATION = FRUSTRATION. When we have an expectation that life should happen one way, and what actually happens is completely different, it is easy to become frustrated. So, give up the expectation and be in the moment, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant. When this happens, you will experience freedom and ease - it is so wonderful!
Be open - When Kelly and I first became parents we were in disagreement on the sleeping arrangement of our kids. I was of the opinion kids should be in a crib in their own room. Kelly thought they should be in our bed. Well, we tried both and now years later we have had a bed full of kids with us since 2010, and sometimes a dog. I love it and wouldn't change it at all. Only by being open to change and conversation have I come to enjoy this experience of parenthood tremendously.
Growth mindset - In her groundbreaking book, Mindset, Dr. Carol Dweck unveils how folks with a growth mindset who believe that their abilities can be developed over time are more likely to flourish in life. I subscribe to this belief, and it has added tremendous opportunity for me. For instance, I am running now for city council; with a fixed mindset this wouldn't have been a possibility.
Passion - Passion in life is following your heart and involving yourself in things that bring you joy. I often ask myself; "how can I experience more joy?". I find myself sucked into the trap of being too serious and by asking this question I am able to shift my perspective and be lighter and have more fun. Make time for some passion and watch your experience of life transform!
Embrace the struggle - As people, we grow outside of our comfort zone. If we are living in our comfort zone I can guarantee you we aren't growing. When we struggle in life we are living outside of our comfort zone, and that is where we grow the most. We may not like it in the moment, but as we reflect there is a sense of growth and accomplishment. The Pandemic was a prime example of embracing the struggle. The next time you are struggling, take a deep breath, and know you are in a growth phase!
Crucial Conversations - George Bernard Shaw once said, "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." Have the difficult conversations in life. Some of my biggest breakthroughs in life have happened because I had the difficult conversation. Trust me on this, never make the other person wrong.
Be vulnerable - Brene Brown's book, "Daring Greatly" has brought vulnerability into the open. Brown encourages her audience to lean into the discomfort of life. The easy thing is to pretend all is well- it is difficult to ask for help or admit weaknesses. Being vulnerable is such a key component of my life that I put it in my wedding vows to be vulnerable to Kelly when I am afraid.
Applaud the effort, not the result - One thing is certain, we control the effort we put into life. How much effort are you putting into your relationships, career, or fitness? When I am working with a client performing physical therapy and they are frustrated they can't perform an exercise and may be down on themselves, many times saying they are so bad at balance or so weak I will have them focus on the effort. The balance and strength will come with effort.
Be grateful - Having an attitude of gratitude has been one of the biggest game changers in my life. Research has shown that by keeping a gratitude journal and entering three new things each day that you are grateful for your brain will lay down new neurons and help you scan your environment to look for positive events. Keeping a gratitude journal is something I do personally and have had our team members do as well. It has been a game changer - give it a try!
Written by Shanon Tysland | Founder, CEO at Experience Momentum
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