Rise & Shine: 🎂 It’s My Birthday and I’m Taking You Back to My 7th Birthday Adventure!
As I reflect on my birthdays, one that often stands out is my 7th birthday. My parents got me a brand-new bike from Kmart. We lived out in the country, and one sunny day, my dad and I decided we’d take a long bike ride through those winding country roads. It was beautiful — the kind of peaceful you only get in the middle of nowhere.
We were cruising along, dad up ahead, the wood line stretching out to our right, when my perfect day flipped — literally. One of the spokes on my front tire had come loose, wrapped around the wheel, and stopped it dead in its tracks. I went flying over the handlebars, face-first into the asphalt. Everything went blurry for a moment, and when I finally blinked back to reality, I reached up and touched my chin. My hand came back crimson red. Enter PANIC.
I wasn’t crying out of pain — it was pure fear. At seven, the sight of that much blood had me convinced: I was dying. My dad, now walking two bikes and helping me limp along (remember, these were the days of no cell phones - yes I know I’m aging myself here 😛), calmly reassured me. We had a long walk ahead, but thankfully, my great uncle lived not far away. We made it to his house — he wasn’t home, but doors were unlocked back then. We grabbed washcloths, dialed home on his landline, and waited for Mom to come rescue us.
Seven stitches in my chin, three chipped teeth, and a broken right hand later, I survived. But I wanted nothing to do with that bike. I begged my parents to return it.
How many of you just thought about the famous Rain Man quote? The one when Raymond Babbitt famously says, "K-Mart sucks.” 😂 Yep! That was the sentiment I shared as well that day!
It was a while before I worked up the nerve to ride again, but eventually, I did.
When Fear Takes the Front Seat
That bike accident taught me a lot about fear. One minute, I was carefree, living my best life with the wind in my hair. The next, I was terrified, shaken, and unwilling to try again. That’s what fear does — it keeps us stuck, replaying the pain instead of embracing the possibilities.
I see this same fear grip people in their careers. It’s the voice that whispers, “What if I fail?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” It convinces us to stay where we are — even if we’re unhappy or unfulfilled — because at least the pain is familiar. It’s why people stay in jobs that drain them or let their dreams collect dust on the shelf. The longer you sit in that fear, the more comfortable it becomes.
Applying This to Your Journey
1️⃣ For the Job Seekers and Career Changers:
If you’re in the job search right now, fear might be whispering that you’re not going to land that next role, or worse, that you should just stick it out in a role that’s draining you because it’s safe. I’ve seen so many clients battle this exact fear. But here’s the thing — just like I eventually got back on that bike, you have to push past the fear of rejection, the fear of not being good enough, and trust that something better is waiting. Your dream role isn’t on the other side of staying comfortable. It’s on the other side of bravery.
2️⃣ For the First-Time Managers:
And what about when you finally get that promotion? You’ve hustled, proven yourself, and now you’re leading a team for the first time. But then, fear creeps in. You start questioning if you’re really cut out for this, if your team respects you, if you actually have what it takes to lead. Suddenly, the comfort of being an individual contributor seems so much easier. I’ve seen so many new leaders struggle with this exact feeling — I’ve even been there myself. But just like I got back on that bike after the fear settled, you have to push through, learn, and grow. Leadership isn’t about knowing it all on day one; it’s about growing into it, just like learning to ride again.
Here’s to pushing past fear and riding toward what’s next. 🚀
P.S. If you’re ready to take that next step, let’s chat. Sometimes you just need someone to help steady the handlebars. 😉
Until next time… keep rising, keep shining. ✨
💛 Alyssa
Founder, Rise Up Career Coaching
Helping you find joy and purpose in your professional journey.
You can find all past newsletters here:https://www.riseupcareercoach.com/newsletter
