C&T Publications REVOLUTIONS II - April 2015 | Page 56

Women on Motorcycles: Silencing the Naysayers
by Yin Chiew

Wanting to learn to ride a motorcycle or desiring to upgrade to a bigger and
better bike sound like easy choices to make. But what if you're discouraged
from doing so from those cl osest to you (or not so close). Or what if you
don't believe that you can.
Well I can relate. I had dreamed of riding a motorcycle since I was 20 years
old. I didn't get my license until I was 29 years old. One of the main factors
that contributed to this was the response I received from my friends and
family when I expressed my interest in doing so. They would tell me that it
was dangerous or that I was crazy! Others would express concern at my small
stature and cruelly mock that I would need to touch the ground if I was to
ride a motorbike. There were even the select few that would suggest that
females could not ride motorcycles!
Eventually, it wore my enthusiasm and excitement down. I started to believe
that I could not do it and that I was not capable of even learning how to ride.
So I didn't do anything for a long time. Suddenly, I realized that I had let the
naysayers turn me into my own worst naysayer!
I realized things had to change, I could not let others tell me that I couldn't do
something, but most importantly, I couldn't doubt myself and discount my
dream any longer. I had to learn to ignore the naysayers.
Debbie Deuce © Sue Rosen

Here's how to silence the naysayers - from others and yourself.

Curbing the nay-saying
First acknowledge their concern and reassure them that you have considered this carefully and that it's something you really want
to do. If some of their points are valid, it's okay to consider them. It can only help you.
If the naysayers are people that are negative and jealous of you. Don't share your plans with them. It may be wise to ask yourself if
you want people like that in your life, especially if they are prepared to put you down. You may or may not receive support from
these people, but the main thing is that you spoke up for yourself.

Trust yourself
The nay-saying must be silenced within yourself. It's okay to feel nervous and a bit fearful. But don't forget, you have considered
this, you have done your research and it's something you really want to do. What could be wrong with that?
Trust and believe in yourself that you are capable of doing this. Honor the fact that this is about you living your life the way you
want and fulfilling an aspiration.
When the nay-saying begins, challenge it. For example, my nay-saying told me that I could not ride a bigger motorcycle because I
was too small. I challenged that by reminding myself that there were a lot of accomplished riders of the same stature as me and that
it was all about skill and technique.
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