The Career Coach who bestowed the wisdom of scaring yourself, wins award
- pauseandempower
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Earlier this year, I wrote an article about deliberately throwing myself into something that scared me: a brand-new sport. Not because I was naturally athletic, nor because I wanted accolades. I did it because I wanted to feel proud of doing something outside my comfort zone. The goal wasn’t victory — it was courage, effort, and the thrill of confronting uncertainty head-on.
Six months later, I discovered that the kayaking community I had quietly joined recognised my commitment. I was awarded “Most Improved Newcomer” at The Vikings Kayaking Club in Bedford during their Christmas Award Ceremony.
I didn’t attend the awards evening. My immediate reaction? “What’s the point? I won’t win anything.”
This story, as it turns out, perfectly illustrates a principle I see over and over in coaching: stepping into the scary unknown often delivers benefits we can’t predict — and rewards we might not even see coming.
Fear as a signpost, not a stop sign
Professional women often encounter fear when considering big changes — whether in career, personal life, or wellness. We are used to competence, expertise, and predictable outcomes. When something new comes along, our first instinct is to hesitate.
But fear doesn’t always mean stop. Sometimes it means pay attention. The discomfort signals that we are stretching, which is exactly where growth happens.
According to The Industry Leaders, deliberately challenging yourself increases self-awareness, resilience, creativity, and adaptability — skills essential for navigating periods of transition (source).
Kayaking delivered that in spades. Every wobble, every awkward paddle stroke, every near tumble into the water reminded me that growth is often quiet, incremental, and invisible — until someone else notices.
The unexpected benefits of trying
My award was a delightful surprise, but it was the unexpected benefits that mattered most. In professional life, we often underestimate what might happen when we take a chance.
Take Lara, from Ageing Better. She made a career change later in life, uncertain about her skills and anxious about the future. By stepping into the unknown, Lara discovered strengths she hadn’t recognised and created opportunities she couldn’t have planned (AgeingBetter).
This mirrors my own experience. I didn’t seek recognition; I was there to learn, to challenge myself, and to grow. Yet, by showing up consistently, improving incrementally, and embracing discomfort, I achieved something that was both validating and unexpected.
The lesson: the unknown often delivers more than you anticipate — you just have to step into it first.
Progress is often invisible to ourselves
When you’re learning something new, it’s easy to focus on what you haven’t mastered. In coaching, I see professional women consistently undervaluing their growth. They discount effort, dismiss small wins, and assume that others are paying more attention to their flaws than their progress.
Being Boss shows how even a thirty-day personal challenge can change perception, identity, and confidence (BeingBoss). The act of committing, persisting, and documenting progress creates undeniable evidence of growth — sometimes long before we internalise it ourselves.
In kayaking, my incremental improvements — staying upright longer, handling rapids with more control, learning club etiquette — all went unnoticed by me, but not by others. The award recognised that quiet, consistent growth.
The benefit of being a beginner
One of the most underrated aspects of stepping into the scary unknown is the joy of being a beginner. When you are new to something:
Effort counts more than polish
Curiosity outweighs confidence
Comparison loses its grip
Professional women often tie identity to competence. Being a beginner is uncomfortable because it strips away expertise. But it’s also incredibly liberating.
Kayaking reminded me that learning, stumbling, and persisting — all in public — is deeply empowering. It allows us to cultivate humility, patience, and self-trust simultaneously.
Building confidence through action
Many women wait for confidence before attempting something new. But confidence is rarely a prerequisite; it’s a by-product of action.
The Industry Leaders emphasise that deliberately challenging yourself builds confidence, self-belief, and resilience over time (IndustryLeaders). Each session on the water, every dip and recovery, strengthened my sense of self-efficacy.
Similarly, taking on new career challenges, learning unfamiliar skills, or volunteering in an unfamiliar context can accelerate professional and personal growth. It’s the doing, not the knowing, that creates confidence.
Courage compounds
Consistency in showing up is more powerful than a single heroic act. Courage isn’t usually a dramatic, one-off decision; it compounds through repeated action.
In my coaching practice, I see women underestimate their visibility. They assume effort goes unnoticed. But consistency, courage, and persistence are always noticed — sometimes when we least expect it.
My award wasn’t the point. The point was showing up week after week, stepping into uncertainty, learning, improving. The recognition was a delightful bonus.
Practical tips for stepping into the unknown
If you’re thinking about taking your own leap into the unfamiliar, try these:
Reframe fear as a signpost. It indicates that growth is possible.
Take small, deliberate steps. Manageable challenges accumulate over time.
Document progress. Journaling or tracking your wins helps you internalise growth.
Celebrate consistency over perfection. Regular effort matters more than flawless execution.
Seek supportive environments. Mentors, peers, or communities amplify growth.
Reflect on unexpected outcomes. Some benefits — like recognition or new opportunities — often appear after the fact.
The research and stories we’ve cited show that intentional discomfort fosters resilience, confidence, and growth. Taking on challenges has measurable and transformative effects, even when the path is scary or unfamiliar.
The real reward
The kayaking award was lovely, but the true reward was far deeper: courage, self-trust, and the knowledge that growth continues at any stage of life.
Whether it’s a new sport, a career transition, or a personal challenge, the scary unknown is fertile ground for discovery. By stepping into it, we not only develop skills and confidence but sometimes surprise ourselves — and the world notices too.
Stepping into the unknown isn’t about guarantees. It’s about opportunity. Growth, recognition, resilience, and self-belief all flourish when we embrace uncertainty. If you’re hesitating — in your career, life, or personal pursuits — remember: the scary unknown is where the magic happens.
If you are ready to make a change, dm me for a free 30 minute discovery call, to see if coaching (and the coach) is the right fit for you.
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