This week’s post will be a little different, as I am swimming an open water race this weekend. It’s a three-mile race in La Jolla Cove, the longest distance I’ve done in open water, compared to my previous best of one mile.

Because of the training I’ve done, I feel confident in my ability to complete this swim. I’ve learned that, in life, there’s no perfect time to do something outside of your comfort zone. By signing up for the race, I forced myself to train and get in better shape. That was the accountability I needed, and it came from within.

No one will hand you opportunities on a platter. If you want to be better at something, as Nike says, just do it.