Motorcycle Misadventures

The most valuable skill is to know how to build and fix things

Watch this excellent short video interview by Andrew David Watson with Adam Cramer of Liberty Vintage Motorcycles in Fishtown, Philadelphia. It's a great piece of art, and also comes with many compelling messages. One of them is the value of knowing how to use tools. Knowing how to fix and build things. I am reminded of this so many times every day at home and at work and while I'm traveling.

It's perhaps the most valuable skill -- knowing how to build and fix things. For example, yesterday I interviewed a young woman from New Zealand who is traveling the world on a 250cc motorcycle. Danielle Murdock is her name. She found a bike, modified it for travel, and learned how to fix it. She is fearless traveling alone through places like Russia, East Timor, Australia, Africa, India. She spends less time worrying about breakdowns and more time using her instincts to navigate her way through foreign cultures. She is competent, experimental, and joyful.

I learned how to fix things because my dad was raised on a farm and became an engineer, and my mom is an artist and craftswoman. We always had projects -- art, homebuilding, mechanical. Therefore, I am comfortable with just sitting down and figuring things out whether it's plumbing or carpentry or engines. I can kill a chicken, skin a rabbit, shoot a rifle, catch a fish, build a fire, identify some edible plants. It has made me fearless. Or less fearful, at least.

That's the value of learning how to build and fix things.

Don't Worry. I'm Here!

I met Rebecca Johns on Whidbey Island in Washington State a couple of months ago, where we were both attending a seminar on public speaking. I liked Rebecca on sight - first of all because she was unloading her mountain bike off the top of her car, which had Montana license plates, and then because of her fabulous, generous smile.

She was there because, as a personal coach, she finds herself asked to speak more and more often to groups to share her wisdom on personal and professional transformation. Her speeches were both moving and hilarious; one related a conversation with a client that went something like this.

    Rebecca: So, let's talk about what you want out of your sessions.
    Client: Well, I really don't know.

    Rebecca: Well, if you did know what you wanted, what might it be?
    Client: Well, I want to know what to do from now on.

    Rebecca: What would you like to do?
    Client: I don't know.

    Rebecca: Uh huh. So, if you did know, what might it look like?
    Client: Well, it might have something to do with travel.

    Rebecca: Good. So where would you travel?
    Client: I don't know. And anyway, my husband wouldn't let me go.

    Rebecca: Oh. But if he would let you, where would go?
    Client: Well, maybe somewhere in Africa.

    Rebecca: Wow, what's there for you?
    Client: Something with kids.

The other five of us at the seminar were in absolute stitches -- until we realized that so much of our life is like that. We know we want something but we can't articulate it. Maybe nobody asks us what that something might actually look like. Even more disturbing, maybe we don't even ask ourselves. Why? Maybe we're afraid of making the changes it takes to create that life.

Today when Rebecca and I were talking on the phone I realized that maybe as much as 90% of the fabulously wonderful things that have happened in my life happened because I managed to get over the fear it took to take the steps, to make the changes that allowed those things to happen.

For me, my first adventure was forced. As many of you know, I waited years for my husband to go on a motorcycle trip to Europe with me, and finally I became impatient enough that I went alone. (The American Borders story.) Of course my marriage was over when I returned.

Today, a friend of mine told me that her husband has asked for a divorce -- a journey she didn't want to take. She's one of the most adventurous women I know, but normally she envisions and creates her own journeys. I described the situation to Rebecca on the phone today, and she said, "Did you remind your friend that she's an adventurous woman? That she's there for herself?"

Hmmm. "There for herself?"

When she was in her twenties, Rebecca got divorced and then went to South America to travel around. She said, "Sometimes I'd get scared, then I'd remember, "Don't worry, I'm here!"

She cracks me up, but I'm going to tell that to myself more often: "Don't worry. I'm here!"

So here's to all of us who are there for ourselves. Or will be, now that our new mantra is -- let's say it out loud . . .

Don't worry. I'm here!

Thanks, Rebecca!

Rebecca Johns is a great personal coach, and she said it was okay to publish her contact info. She's based in Bigfork, Montana and does in-person and phone coaching. You can find out more by contacting her via email at rjohns@aboutmontana.net or phone her at 406-837-2029.