Say yes to good challenges.

I want to tell you about something I believe can make hard times a little easier and help you grow into someone who trusts themselves: say yes to good challenges. A good challenge is something that stretches you — maybe it makes your stomach flutter, or your knees a little wobbly — but it doesn’t put you in danger or make you feel unsafe. It’s the kind of challenge that teaches you a skill, helps you meet new people, or lets you try something you’ve always wondered about. I’ve seen kids take tiny steps like raising their hand in class, or bigger ones like trying out for a team, and each time they learned more about what they can do. You don’t have to be perfect at something to get better; you just have to start.

When you say yes to a good challenge, you’re choosing to practice courage, not pretend you’re brave. Courage can look like asking for help, saying you’re sorry, or trying again after you stumble. It’s okay to be scared. Fear is your body telling you this matters. Let that feeling be your signal to get ready, not to run away. Break the challenge into small parts: practice one short part each day, ask a friend or family member to watch or cheer, and give yourself time. Prepare by thinking about what might go well and what you can do if it doesn’t. That way, the big moment becomes many tiny steps and each step becomes something you can handle.

Here are a few simple things to say when you need a little push — short phrases that help me and that I’ve heard help others: - “I can try this for five minutes.”
- “Mistakes help me learn.”
- “I’ll ask for help if I need it.”
- “One small step at a time.” Say them out loud or whisper them to yourself before you start. They’re small reminders that make big differences. They help you move from “I can’t” to “I’ll try,” and from “I’m stuck” to “What’s one next step?”

Afterward, celebrate the effort more than the result. Did you try something new? That’s progress, even if it didn’t go perfectly. Notice what you did well and one thing you might do differently next time. Share your story with someone who cares — telling someone else about your steps helps the feeling of accomplishment grow. Saying yes to good challenges doesn’t mean you’ll always win; it means you’ll always learn. So pick one small challenge this week, say one of the tiny phrases, and see what happens. I’ll be cheering for you.