#111 Five Lessons Learned from Amusement Parks

Read the full episode transcript

Hey, this is Melissa Parsons, and you are listening to the Your Favorite You Podcast. I'm a certified life coach with an advanced certification in deep dive coaching. The purpose of this podcast is to help brilliant women like you with beautiful brains create the life you've been dreaming of with intentions. My goal is to help you find your favorite version of you by teaching you how to treat yourself as your own best friend.

If this sounds incredible to you and you want practical tips on changing up how you treat yourself, then you're in the right place. Just so you know, I'm a huge fan of using all of the words available to me in the English language, so please proceed with caution if young ears are around.

Hello, everyone. We are back with another episode of Your Favorite You. I am still your host, Melissa Parsons. I was inspired to write this episode after coaching one of my many amazing clients.

 We were coaching on her thought that she was good at starting projects and not as great at finishing them and seeing them through. So I came up with the analogy that she was near the top of the first hill of the Millennium Force, one of my favorite rides at Cedar Point, an amazing amusement park here in Sandusky, Oh, and that she was only one or two clicks away on the roller coaster from her train cresting the top of the hill and that all the work that she had put in to get up to the top of the hill was already built up. And now it was time for the fun part of the ride.

So I got to thinking about the lessons that I have learned in my life through riding roller coasters and going to amusement parks. So I hope this is as fun for you to listen to as it has been for me to think about. So, you ready? Let's go.

Okay, the first lesson from roller coasters and amusement parks. Life's unexpected twists and turns. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns and loop-de-loops. The first time you experience an unexpected twist or turn or loop-de-loop, it can really throw you, just like riding a roller coaster for the first time. You never know what's coming next, and it can be pretty daunting. And here's the thing, folks. If you stay on the ride and you choose to go again, it gets less scary over time. It's all about building resilience and learning to actually embrace the chaos.

Think about it this way - If life were a straight, predictable line, it would be pretty frigging boring, wouldn't it? Nobody would wait in line to get on it. So the unexpected twists and turns are what make life exciting and help us grow. So next time you're faced with the loop de loop, remember that it's all part of the ride of life. 

Many clients come to life coaching because they're facing unexpected challenges or changes in their lives. Whether it might be a career transition, a relationship shift, or a personal obstacle, these twists and turns can feel overwhelming, and downright scary. Just like a roller coaster, these unexpected moments are a natural part of life's journey. In fact, if you've been listening to prior episodes, you know how little control we actually have in our life.

I can teach you the tools and skills that you need so that you can lean into the discomfort and trust that you'll come out on the other side, stronger, and most likely seeing how what happens to you on the ride of life often is happening for you.

Second lesson - The fast pass isn't always the best pass. Sometimes it's fun to get the fast pass or the easy pass and go from coaster to coaster to coaster. And some people do just fine with that. Other times it's fun to take your time between the rides and rest. So resting between big events, resting between big changes.

I will never forget taking Jack to Cedar Point for the first time when he was finally tall enough to ride all of the thrill rides with me. I grew up going to Cedar Point at least once a summer, if not more often. So I was so excited to have someone to share this love of coasters with me. Unfortunately for me, John does not share this love. In fact, quite the opposite. 

So I bought Jack and I fast passes. We were gonna stay overnight at the Hotel Breakers. We got two-day park passes with the fast passes. We got to the park near opening time and quickly went on several coasters in a row. Big mistake by me. In fact, we should have included this in the mom fuck ups episode that I did with the boys. It was a huge mom fuck up. Jack's brain and belly both could have done much better if we had been forced to wait our turn between rides. So rushing and taking the easy pass doesn't always lead to the outcomes that we think we want.

This is a perfect example of why the fast pass isn't always the best option. Sure, it's tempting to rush from one thing to the next, trying to cram in as much as possible, but sometimes that can lead to a less than ideal experience. And it can lead you to leaving the park and going and playing putt-putt instead while watching the coasters go by. It was painful for me, but it was the best thing for Jack. So that's what we did.

It's kind of like trying to eat an entire buffet in one sitting. You might get a little taste of everything, but you won't truly enjoy any of it because you'll be so stuffed by the end. Sometimes it's better to take your time, savor each moment, give yourself a chance to rest and recharge between big events or changes. 

In the fast-paced world of today, many clients feel pressure to rush through life and achieve their goals as quickly as possible. This might mean taking on too many projects at once, sacrificing self-care for productivity, or keeping the thinking that working as hard as possible is the only way to attempt to get ahead. Just like sweet Jack's Cedar Point experience, rushing through life often leads to burnout and dissatisfaction and sometimes some significant nausea.

With coaching, I can show you the tools and skills so that you might feel safe to take a step back, prioritize your wellbeing, and trust that slow and steady progress is often more sustainable in the long run. I have so many examples of clients who have found success by slowing down and being intentional with their time and energy, myself included. So next time you're tempted to rush through life, remember sweet Jack's Cedar Point experience and ask yourself, is the fast pass really worth it? Or would I be better off taking my time and actually enjoying the journey?

The third lesson, heed warnings on signs. Actually read the signs instead of walking right past them. If the ride says that it's not appropriate for children under a certain height, or it says not to ride if you have chronic neck or back pain, or if it says that the ride is scary and may not be suitable for young children, believe it. The height requirements aren't there to make it so Suzie doesn't have fun. They are there to make sure that Suzie doesn't slip out from under the safety mechanisms.

Disney is really good about warning parents if a ride might be too frightening for younger children. I advise you to do as I say, not as I did here, because I didn't think the Tree of Life it's tough to be a bug show would be that bad. One of my children, who shall remain nameless, screamed throughout the entire show. Talk about a nightmare. You think I would have learned my lesson, but no. A few years later, I again ignored Mickey's warning that Stitch's great escape would be too intense for younger children and subsequently terrorized my child.

This one might seem obvious, but how many times have we all ignored a warning sign and lived to regret it? Whether it's a height requirement on a ride, a warning about a potentially scary experience, those signs are there for a reason. It's like Maya Angelou's reminder, which I've already quoted multiple times on this podcast: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” In this case, when a sign tells you what to expect, believe it the first time. Don't be like me and take your poor kids to a terrifying bug show or a too intense stitch experience.

In life, we often encounter metaphorical warning signs, red flags in relationships, gut feelings about a decision, or advice from trusted mentors. Just like the signs at an amusement park, it's important to heed these warnings and trust that they're there to keep us safe and help us make informed choices. Before they work with me, many of my clients have struggled with ignoring red flags or warning signs in their lives. Whether it's in relationships, work situations, or personal habits, they might dismiss their gut feelings or talk themselves out of their own knowing. As your coach, I can provide you with a safe space to question what color these flags really are and what to do with a red flag versus a yellow flag versus a green flag.

As a reminder, your body is constantly giving you signs or trying to give you signs to keep you safe and help you make the best decisions for yourself. I can help you to learn how to tap into this knowing. And once we do that, it gets really fun. So read the damn signs, believe them, know that not doing so can have dire consequences.

The fourth lesson, Owen's gonna love this one. Sometimes it's better to sit somewhere other than the front. This is one that I learned from Owen and his buddies. Do not sit in the front seat of a roller coaster near or after dusk at an amusement park on Lake Erie. You will end the ride covered in bug guts and very likely will swallow some insects as you are riding and screaming. Sometimes it's nice to sit in the front so you can have the most amazing view of what is in front of you.

Other times, it's better to sit in the middle or the back of the coaster so that you get the thrill of riding at night without the agony of bugs being stuck to your face and glasses at the end of a ride. Hopefully, this is both hilarious and relatable. We've all had moments where we thought being in the front would be the best view, only to realize that sometimes it's better to hang back and let someone else take the lead. This applies to life, of course, too.

Sometimes it's tempting to always want to be in the front, to be the leader, the trailblazer, the one who takes all the risks. But just like riding a roller coaster at night near a lake full of bugs, being in front isn't always all that it's cracked up to be. It's okay to occasionally let someone else take the lead, to sit in the middle or the back and enjoy the ride without all the extra bug guts. In life, this might mean letting someone else take the reins on a project at work or allowing your friend to plan a trip or event instead of you always doing it. It's all about finding the balance between being a leader and being willing to follow and to learn from others.

Some of my clients struggle with always feeling like they need to be in control or take the lead in every situation. Does this resonate with you? Are you perhaps a control enthusiast like me? You might have had a hard time delegating tasks, trusting others, or letting someone else take the lead. Just like riding a roller coaster, sometimes it's okay to sit in the middle or the back and let someone else take the front seat. With my mentorship, I can encourage you to practice delegating, collaborating, and trusting others to take the lead when it's appropriate.

The fifth lesson, celebrate small victories. When you're waiting in line for a coaster, every step forward is a small victory. You might not be on the ride yet, but you're getting closer with each passing moment. It's important to celebrate these small wins along the way because they keep you motivated and remind you that progress is happening even when it feels slow.

The same is true in life. We often get so focused on the big flashy goals that we forget to acknowledge the small victories that happen along the way. But those small wins are what keep us going and keep us in momentum that we need to reach the finish line. Think about a time when you were working toward a big goal, like saving up for a down payment on a house or training for a half marathon. Each dollar saved, each quarter mile ran was a small victory that deserved to be celebrated.

Sure, you might not have reached your ultimate goal yet, but you're getting closer with every step. So next time you find yourself on a long journey toward a big goal, remember to celebrate the small victories along the way. Did you resist the urge to hit the snooze button this morning? Celebrate that. Did you choose to stop eating before you were full instead of always having to be a member of the Clean Plate Club? Give yourself a pat on the back. Did you make it through a tough conversation with a loved one? That is a huge, huge win that deserves celebrating.

By celebrating these small victories, you're training your brain to look for the positive, to look for the glimmers, and to find joy in the journey, not just joy in the destination. Plus, it makes the whole experience a hell of a lot more fun, just like riding a roller coaster and throwing your hands up in the air to celebrate each twist and turn.

Many clients get so focused on their big long-term goals that they forget to acknowledge the small wins along the way. They tend to dismiss their progress or feel discouraged when they haven't reached their ultimate destination. I would encourage you to celebrate the small victories in your life, just like you would celebrate each step forward in a roller coaster line. I love it when we start our coaching calls with wins, whether it's sticking to a new habit for a week or having a successful conversation with your colleague. These small victories really do add up over time and become the big things.

So there you have it, folks, five valuable lessons you can learn from roller coasters and amusement parks. From embracing the unexpected to celebrating small victories, these lessons can help us navigate the ups and downs of life with a little more ease and a heck of a lot more fun.

Remember, life is supposed to be a wild ride, so buckle up. Throw your hands in the air. And enjoy every twist and turn.

Hey, don't go just yet.

Since you're listening to this podcast, you might be one of us who has followed all the rules and ticked off all the boxes, but you still feel like something's missing. If you're ready to learn the skills and gain the tools that you need to put yourself first without guilt and start to treat yourself as your own best friend, I'm here to support you.

As a certified life coach, I provide a safe space, compassionate guidance, and practical tools to help you navigate life's challenges and embrace your true self. I'm inviting you to join my next group, which starts on Thursday, January 9th, 2025. 

We'll work together to develop a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. You'll learn effective communication strategies, boundary setting techniques, and self-care practices that will help you to cultivate a more loving and supportive relationship with yourself first, so that then you can go on to do that with others.

While of course I cannot guarantee specific outcomes, everyone's journey is unique, what I can promise is my unwavering commitment to providing you with the skills, tools, support, and guidance that you need to create lasting change in your life.

With more than a sprinkle of humor, some perfectly placed swear words, and a lot of compassion, I'll be available to mentor you as you do the work to become a favorite version of yourself.

If you're ready to invest in yourself and embark upon this journey, head over to melissaparsonscoaching.com. Go to the Work With Me page and book a consultation call. We can chat about your challenges and how I can support you.

Like I said, we start in January. We will meet on Thursdays at 12:30 PM Eastern Time for six months, starting on January 9th.

Can't wait to see you there.