Mistakes versus challenges

When I first learned to snowboard, I learned regular (left foot forward). That was what the snowboard I learned on was set to, and that was what everyone else was doing.

Turns out I’m goofy (right foot forward). That realisation was huge. I had been riding regular for at least two or three times before I realised that goofy was more natural to me.

Now I can ride switch (either way forward). I have a better command of the board precisely because the first time I used it, I used it the “wrong” way around.

Learning regular from the outset meant it was a bit harder for me to learn to ride overall, but there was always going to be some challenge. This way, I was adding another challenge unknowingly that I was able to get through and that helped me become a more proficient rider overall.

Some “mistakes” are challenges in disguise, challenges you can fool yourself into getting past that have big benefits further down the line.