My husband used two 25-foot sheets of plastic, a sprinkler, and some lawn chair cushions to make a killer slip n slide for our son this summer. My small soap contribution might or might not have caused a few injuries this past weekend.
As a kid in the 80s, the banana slide was all the rage. It was a yellow slip n slide that came with a banana-shaped sprinkler. The banana slide of my youth is now annoyingly labeled “vintage” on Amazon and can be purchased for $20.83. Meh. My youth has been reduced to “vintage” and a 20-dollar bill.
Let me tell you how things have gone down on our homemade slip n slide.
My husband goes all-out. He paid for it about a month ago when his back spasmed and he couldn’t stand up straight for a few days. Did he learn his lesson? No. He was back at it in full force this weekend.
I have some disc issues in my back from a car accident, so I do not go all-out. However, I could not let my nieces show me up, so I make one run this weekend. One. A twinge in my back and an immediate stiffness prevented another go for me.
My oldest niece showed us all up with her all-or-nothing approach. Her runs were grand, always making it to the end of the slide into the makeshift pool of water. Even after smacking her head on the ground during one particularly spectacular slide, she kept at it. Her neck has been stiff now for days, but her motto remains - “Well worth it.”
Another niece of mine just couldn’t quite commit to her slides. She never made it to the end where you get to enjoy the satisfaction of the long slide and big splash. It wasn’t for lack of trying. Her tentative approach to the slide was the issue.
My son went all-out every time like his dad. But since he’s a lightweight and a beginner at five years old, he can’t make it to the pool at the end without a solid shove at the start.
As we enjoyed the slip n slide and popsicles this weekend, I started thinking about how it so closely parallels with business, particularly self-employment.
There are those of us who go all-out, no holds barred, like my husband, my oldest niece, and my son.
My husband is, ahem, older. He’s got some mileage. He’s done this slip n slide thing before (probably started on a banana slide like I did). He’s a pro. He remembers exactly how to make it work to get to the end without harming all of his appendages in the process. He knows he might pay for it over the coming week like he did about a month ago, but it doesn’t stop him. He refuses to stand by and watch everyone else have fun without him. He is just a bit more calculated in protecting his back this go-around.
With self-employment, if you’re like my husband on the slip n slide, this isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve got experience. You know how to make a business run. But it doesn’t mean there aren’t still risks along the way. You might seize up. It could be painful for a bit, but you work it out and get back out there. Keep at it.
If you’re like my oldest niece, you give 110% every single time. And because you are all-in, you normally reap big rewards. Sure, you are bound to fall occasionally, bump your head, but it doesn’t stop you from the fun and success you’re having.
My son, in a business sense, is one who is just starting out. You haven’t had a chance to learn the ropes yet. You are giving it your all, but your all isn’t getting you all the way to the end. You need help from others who have done this before. Let them give you a push. Take their advice. Pretty soon, you’ll be sliding the long route to a successful end.
I’m a bit of a different story on that slip n slide. I have some back issues that just don’t make the risk worth what the fall might do. And I’m old. I tried it once and probably shouldn’t have even done that. The banana slide was absolutely the best for kid Rachele’. The homemade 50-foot slip n slide today? Not for me. I know my limits and I’m going to stick to them.
As for my other niece who just couldn’t quite commit, couldn’t get the speed she needed to take the plunge… the slip n slide just isn’t her game. She’s good at a lot of things. Really good. Just not the slip n slide. It’s not for everyone.
Deciding to venture out on your own in business can be scary. I did it several years ago and it can still be scary at times, especially during COVID times. Here are a few takeaways I’ve learned just recently via slipping and sliding:
If you’re going to start your own business, do it with all you have. If you fail, you fail. We like to focus on the failure instead of the recovery. But the learning in the recovery is where it’s at.
If you hesitate and don’t fully commit, you’re more likely to get hurt. Both in business and on the slip n slide.
Business startups aren’t for everyone. Know your limits and either work around them or be self-aware enough to try your hand at something else more suited to your strengths.
Owning your very own business can be really, really fun. Enjoy it.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Don’t let the big kids intimidate you. Rather, ask them for help to show you how it’s done. You’ll get it.
Whatever you choose, if you can say, “Well worth it” at the end, you’ve made the right choice.