The Biggest Embarrassment of My Life

Let me take you back to one of the most embarrassing moments of my life: my first horse show jumper competition. 

Horses have always been a deep passion of mine. I found them to be among the most beautiful creatures, yet I was terrified of riding. 

Most of my family and cousins were excellent riders, and I always sat out on their adventures, making up excuses to hide my fear. But one day, my desire to learn overcame my fear, and I signed up for horse riding lessons. 

I fell in love with it and started training to become a show jumper. Eventually, I was riding every single day and even owned three horses.

So, there I was, at my first competition. 

I had trained for months envisioning a flawless ride. But as fate would have it, I lost control and fell right in front of the entire audience. 

I was devastated and considered giving up riding altogether. 

The Fall

I had looked forward to this competition for months. Every week was filled with intense training, mental visualization, and anticipation. 

On the day of the competition, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepped my horse. The crowd was both encouraging and daunting. 

Mid way through the course I lost control, and before I knew it, I was on the ground. 

The crowd gasped, and I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. The shame of failing so publicly made me want to quit right then and there.

The Aftermath

The immediate aftermath was brutal. 

I couldn't shake off the feelings of failure and embarrassment. I questioned my abilities and whether I was cut out for this sport. 

Ever felt like your hard work had been for nothing? That's how I felt.

But here's the thing about hitting rock bottom – it gives you a solid foundation to build on.

The Turning Point

My coach, seeing my despair, pulled me aside and gave me the best piece of advice I've ever received. 

She told me to take it slow, revisit my basics, and train again with a fresh perspective. She emphasized that setbacks are not the end but rather stepping stones to improvement. 

This advice resonates deeply with Carol Dweck's "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success." Dweck explains that having a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work – is crucial for overcoming challenges.

Taking my coach's advice, I started analyzing what went wrong. 

I realized that my nerves had gotten the better of me, causing me to lose focus. This moment of self-reflection was pivotal. 

It’s similar to what James Clear discusses in "Atomic Habits." He emphasizes the importance of small, consistent improvements. I began to identify specific mistakes and areas for improvement, breaking down each jump, and each moment of the ride. 

This methodical approach allowed me to build better habits and gradually regain my confidence.

The Comeback

With a clear understanding of my mistakes, I embarked on a new training routine. I focused on the basics, ensuring that each jump and movement was precise and controlled. 

This period of retraining was grueling, filled with countless hours of practice and many small victories along the way. It was my passion for horse riding and my perseverance that kept me going. 

I started to see progress. 

Each successful jump rebuilt my confidence bit by bit. Of course I fell many times over this journey. Luckily, I never broke any bones haha.

However, I realized that the journey to mastery is not a straight line but a series of peaks and valleys. Each setback was a learning opportunity, and each small win was a step forward.

The Return

The hard work paid off. I returned to competitions with a renewed sense of confidence and a deeper understanding of my abilities. 

The experience of falling and getting back up had transformed me. I was no longer just a rider; I was a resilient competitor. 

And just like that, I was back in the game, never finishing outside the podium again. 

But what does that have to do with growth marketing?

Lessons For Growth Marketers