Face-Planting Your Way to Success
Business Lessons from a Foggy and Treacherous Ski Slope
I’m baaaaack!
….with a story of course.
I used to think skiing wasn’t for me. Not because I didn’t want to, but because fear had me in a chokehold. For years, I watched others glide effortlessly down slopes while I stayed on the sidelines, convincing myself that it was too late, too risky, too… something.
But five years ago, on a whim, I booked skiing lessons. And that decision changed everything. Now, I try to hit the slopes every year.
But last year, life got in the way, and I missed my usual trip.
This year, as I strapped on my skis in the Romanian mountains, I realised something—fear had crept back in. The self-doubt, the hesitation, the overthinking.
And let me tell you, nothing amplifies those feelings like standing at the top of a ski slope at 2000m altitude, with wind howling, snow pelting your face and a thick fog swallowing up the path ahead.
My daughter? She had no hesitation. Off she went, leaving me there, skis on, paralysed between two choices: do I take the risk and potentially tumble into a ditch, or do I play it safe and find my way down first?
Right then, as if the universe was reading my thoughts, a voice called out:
"Do you need a skiing instructor?"
I didn’t even hesitate. My subconscious had already decided. Yes.
And with that, I followed.
Slowly at first, with guidance, caution, and a lot of trust.
But by the time I reached the bottom, something had shifted. My confidence had returned.
I knew what to do. So I went back up. This time, alone.
And again.
And again.
Of course, I fell. Of course, I got back up. But that’s part of the pleasure.
You can’t have one without the other.
And isn’t that exactly like business?
Here are five lessons I took from the slopes straight into business and life:
Lesson #1: Fear Is Just an Imbalanced Perception
Standing at the top of that slope, my mind exaggerated the danger and minimized my ability. That’s what fear does—it distorts reality. It makes risks look bigger and your skills look smaller. But the moment I balanced the equation by gaining perspective (a guide, a strategy, a way down), fear lost its grip.
In business, fear of failure, rejection, or uncertainty is often just an illusion created by an imbalanced perspective. Shift the way you see the situation, and fear transforms into action.
Lesson #2: The Right Guide Can Collapse Your Learning Curve
Had I forced myself to struggle alone, I’d have wasted hours in hesitation. But 45 minutes with the instructor? That was enough to break the mental block and get me moving.
Too many entrepreneurs waste years trying to figure things out alone.
The right mentor, coach, or expert can collapse your learning curve and fast-track your results.
You don’t need to struggle just to prove you can.
Lesson #3: Uncertainty and Growth Go Hand in Hand
The worst part about that ski run? The fog. Not being able to see what was ahead. But here’s the thing—life and business are just as unpredictable. You will never have complete clarity. You will never have absolute certainty. And that’s not a problem. That’s how growth works.
Most people wait until they “know for sure” before making a move. But certainty is an illusion.
The only way to know is to do. Clarity comes from action, not the other way around.
Lesson #4: Pain and Pleasure Are a Package Deal
I fell. Multiple times. My body ached. My face stung from the cold wind. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything—because the exhilaration of skiing only exists because of the effort it takes to do it.
Business is the same.
You cannot have financial success without moments of financial struggle.
You cannot have growth without discomfort.
If you only chase the highs and try to avoid the lows, you stay stuck.
The key is to embrace both. They fuel each other.
Lesson #5: Mastering Risk is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
That first run down the slope felt like a risk. But was it? When I looked at it rationally, I had all the tools I needed—I knew how to ski, I had a guide, and I was physically capable. The real risk was in my head.
Business is no different. Those who succeed aren’t the ones who avoid risk. They’re the ones who learn to manage it. They don’t let their emotions override their logic. They assess, prepare, and then take the leap.
Because at the end of the day, the only thing riskier than moving forward is staying where you are.
Final Thought: If you’re waiting for the right moment, you’re already late
After that first guided run, I kept going—alone.
Because I knew that hesitation was the only real danger.
The same goes for business.
Most people never start because they’re waiting.
Waiting for clarity.
Waiting for the fear to go away.
Waiting to feel ready.
But readiness is a myth.
If you’re standing at the top of your own metaphorical ski slope, debating whether to go or stay—go.
Take the risk.
Find a guide.
Trust yourself.
And when you fall, because you will, get back up.
Because that’s where the real success is—in the ride itself.
If fear, hesitation, or lack of guidance is keeping you stuck in business, let’s change that. I help business owners and professionals reshape their money mindset and take confident action.
Ready?
Click below to see how we can work together!