Today, I want to share something that has been on my mind a lot lately. It might seem a little random, but I’ve been reflecting on what ice skating and hockey have taught me about life and business.
Over the past few months, all three of my kids have been taking ice skating lessons in some form. My middle son, in particular, has spent the most time on the ice. He’s five and has really taken to skating and hockey. He’s been going to lessons about twice a week, and as I sit and watch all of them learning this new skill, I can’t help but see the life lessons wrapped up in this experience.
For some background, I grew up on a farm raising cows. We did have a pond, but we never ice skated on it—mostly just threw rocks in it. Ice skating and hockey weren’t part of my childhood at all. My husband, on the other hand, grew up two hours away in Toledo and played hockey until seventh grade. He’s been a huge hockey fan ever since. Fun fact: People often assume we named our middle son Crosby after Sidney Crosby, the hockey player. But no, we just loved the name.
Since my kids started skating—specifically in full hockey gear minus the stick—I’ve been amazed at the level of preparation and persistence that goes into this sport. My kids also play soccer, which has plenty of technical skills, but hockey requires an entirely different level of commitment. Watching them on the ice has given me a fresh perspective on both parenting and my own business journey. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. The Prep Work Matters
Before my boys even step onto the ice, we need at least 20 minutes to get them suited up. There’s padding, shin guards, helmets, a neck guard, and—most importantly—the skates. It took me weeks to figure out how to lace their skates tight enough for them to actually skate properly.
Some days, getting them dressed takes longer than the actual lesson itself. And keeping a rowdy five-year-old and a three-year-old still while I wrestle with all their gear? Another challenge entirely. I’ve even started bringing suckers just to keep them still long enough to get them ready.
This has been such a powerful reminder that prep work is everything—in skating, in life, and in business. You can’t skip the foundational steps. When I left the school system to start my own business, I was so eager for change that I didn’t take enough time to prepare. I just jumped in, wanting to prove that I could make it work. And while taking action is important, I now realize that the businesses and people who truly succeed invest time in building a strong foundation first.
2. It’s All About the Reps
My husband has a saying: It’s all about the reps. And watching my son’s hockey class, I see this firsthand. His Hockey 1 class has about 30 kids—it’s pure chaos. But as I looked at the higher-level classes, I was shocked to see that they shrink down to just three to five kids per class. Why? Because getting good at skating takes time, and many kids (and parents - which I totally get) don’t want to push through that early stage where everything feels awkward and frustrating.
Skating isn’t fun unless you have a solid foundation. That foundation is built through repetition. But for many, it’s easy to stop after that first class. I get it—it’s a lot. The drive, the time, the constant falling. But for the kids who stick with it, the transformation is incredible.
The same applies to business. We want instant success, but real progress comes from showing up consistently, refining our skills, and pushing through those uncomfortable early stages.
3. Slow and Steady vs. Fearless and Fast
Watching my two boys on the ice has been fascinating because their personalities come through so clearly. My middle son has no fear. The faster he skates, the happier he is—even if he’s falling. He’s all smiles and laughter, picking himself up over and over again.
My youngest, on the other hand, is the total opposite. He moves at a snail’s pace, barely progressing because he’s so afraid of falling. Even with my husband helping him, his fear holds him back.
This has been such a reflection of my own journey in business. I’ve often acted like my youngest—afraid of failing, letting other people’s opinions derail me. But just like in skating, the only way to move forward is to embrace the falls, get back up, and keep going. Progress doesn’t come from standing still.
4. Determination Over Quick Wins
When I asked my husband why the Hockey 2 classes are so much smaller, he said something that stuck with me: You have to commit for at least a year before you can really decide if it’s worth continuing.
Think about that—a full year of effort just to get to the point where it becomes fun. That’s a tough sell in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with messages about overnight success. But the truth is, real progress takes time.
I saw this all the time in schools. When a child struggles with math or reading, we have tons of strategies to support them. But with behavior or emotional regulation, the progress takes longer, and people don’t always have the patience to stick it out. The same is true for business. We need to stop expecting instant results and commit for the long haul.
I’ve been guilty of giving up too quickly. But watching my kids skate has reminded me that perseverance matters. Slow progress is still progress.
Final Thoughts
This whole experience has made me step back and reflect on my own journey. I’ve pivoted my business to align with my family and personal goals, and you may have noticed that my content has shifted, too.
I’m leaning into what feels right—what brings joy, connection, and alignment. Just like my kids learning to skate, I’m embracing the prep work, putting in the reps, moving past fear, and staying committed for the long run.
So whether you’re learning to skate, starting a business, or just navigating a new season in life—keep going. The falls are part of the process, but every time you get back up, you’re making progress.
If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever had an experience where a completely unrelated activity taught you a valuable life lesson? Drop a comment below, and let’s chat!
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