I was terrified to start this job.
My mission: to head to northeast BC in sub -40, follow the drill crew on a quad for +12 hours/day, and log the geology.
My brain, in it's valent effort to keep me safe, offered reason after reason I wasn't cut out for it, and that I should stay safe in my apartment.
I'd spent the last 2+ years in a computer lab working on numerical modelling. This was going to be a shock to my system.
I have a condition called Raynaud's, which causes my fingers and toes to lose circulation in cold temperatures. I was going to lose my fingers and toes or curl in the fetal position and stay stuck there forever.
It'd been years since I'd driven a quad. I wouldn't remember how to drive one or load it in a truck.
I'd had a really bad winter driving accident 5 years before, and it could happen again.
I literally had to coach myself to take on the role (I didn't realize at the time that's what I was doing, but it was).
I reminded myself that I'd spent the majority of my life outside in various field roles or just playing as a kid. That the last couple years were actually an anomaly, and that my body would climatize again.
I spared no expense when it came to layers and made sure I was dressed appropriately. I had heating packs, thermals, layers on layers. Boots that would have worked great in the moon landing. I confirmed with the company the quad had heated grips.
My company had me take an ATV course, which reminded me that I'd grown up driving these things, and it was totally fine.
I reminded myself how to cinch things down, reviewed all the safety material, took it seriously and prepared.
I reminded myself WHY I wanted this job: to gain experience, take on an adventure, get my hands dirty, invest in my career and create opportunity.
Turns out, it was exactly what I needed.
The fresh air, the space, the cold, the problem-solving.
It felt so good to be out.
Once I was prepared, and I'd committed to doing the best I could, I just took it one step at a time.
I ended up staying up there for almost 2 months with a short break in between. And I'm still with the same company, 9 years later.
Fear, or imposter syndrome, can be useful. It can signal to us that we may need to do more to be prepared. Conversations we need to have, gear we need to buy, skills we need to sharpen.
But we can't let it run the show.
If you want to find out how we can dramatically improve your confidence and performance, book a 60-minute planning and consult session with me where we'll discuss:
The issues your currently experiencing;
What you WANT to happen and how you want to feel; and,
Come up with the strategy to get you there.
You can decide on the call or at a later date if you'd like to continue working with me, or take the strategy we come up with and apply it on your own.
Regardless, you deserve 60-minutes to talk this over with a coach.
Book the call here. If you can't find a time that works, email me at jolene@jolenehermanson.com and we'll set something up.
Comments