What My 4-Year-Old’s First Dive and Flip Into the Pool Taught Me About Commitment for Speakers
- Kevin Snyder
- Jul 11
- 5 min read
Our 4-year-old son recently does something that can teach and remind us all about the power of commitment.
Whether it's commitment to our speaking, a personal goal, a relationship, etc. -- I believe commitment breeds success more than skill set.
Just as important, the lack of commitment is what holds us back!
Here's the story from what my 4 year old can teach all of us ...
Amazingly, our son Ashton not only starts swimming but he also does a full flip off the diving board! (video below)
I am so proud watching him swim, and he feels just as accomplished! But then it grows into something even bigger—he sees other kids jumping off the diving board into the deep end.
“Dada, I wanna jump too!”
As any parent would, I get nervous. Yes, he can swim, but as a parent... well, you know the feeling. I’m not sure he’s ready for that leap—literally.
After getting Mom’s approval, I say, “OK, bud, but I’m going to be in the water with you, OK?”
So, I enter the deep end and tread water, waiting for him to take that first jump. He jumps off the diving board with absolutely no fear. Just unfiltered enjoyment.
And not just once, but several times—and he loves every moment.
Again, remember, he’s 4 years old! (This impresses me at least!)
Now comes the moment that turns this story into something even more powerful — the flip.
Ashton had been watching older kids flip off the diving board. Their flips inspire him, and it isn’t long before he looks at me, eyes wide with excitement, and says, “Dada, I wanna flip too!”
I try to slow him down. “Let’s just keep jumping for a while, bud. You’ll be flipping soon, but let’s just jump for today, OK?”
But Ashton doesn’t wait. He gets in line behind one of the kids who is flipping off the diving board, and without hesitation, he goes for it—a full flip!
It feels like slow motion, and I’m prepared to scream for the lifeguard. I think for sure Ashton will land on his back or his neck and hurt himself. But NOPE!
He nails it ... well, almost! He nails his face, actually... because he does a full flip + extra! But he doesn’t care or even feel it. The joy on his face from flipping is priceless.
“Dada, I did it! I did it!!”
See the video here... it’s awesome!
But keep reading because now comes the moment this story transforms into something even more meaningful — the lesson.
Watching Ashton’s jumps and flips inspires ME to get out of the water and jump off the board too!
So, I get in line at the diving board just ahead of Ashton, ready to be in the water for him as he continues flipping into the deep end. While waiting, I strike up a conversation with the kiddo in front of me, maybe 10 years old, who has been doing flips all afternoon. I ask, “So what’s the key to a good flip?”
The kid looks at me and immediately responds with, “Commitment.”
“Commitment?” I repeat.
“Yeah, you gotta commit to the flip,” he explains. “If you don’t, you’ll land on your back or your face. You need full commitment until you hit the water.”
Those words hit me hard, like a belly flop!
Wow, what a simple metaphor for life, right?!
As I think about my son's successful flip, I realize something—he fiipped because he committed to it.
He succeeded because he committed to it.
Even more so, Ashton didn’t fear the flip. He didn’t hesitate. His commitment became greater than uncertainty and even the potential failure of not being able to flip. Ashton’s success wasn’t about technique or skill; it was about his willingness to go all in - literally.
What about you? What is waiting for you to go all in? What opportunity in your life is waiting for more commitment?
If you've read this far, you're a speaker at some level -- aspiring, emerging or seasoned pro. How would you rank your commitment to your speaking goals?
This lesson about commitment is for all of us, including myself! Commitment is essential to achieving any goal and vision—personal, professional, relational, and anything in between.
Whether it’s for ourselves, our speaking, our families, our teams, our businesses, etc.... we must reflect on how committed are we to our goals? If we are not fully committed, it makes sense why fear and uncertainty might hold us back.
It’s easy for the “what ifs” to stop us when that’s our focus. But if we ask ourselves “why not?” and fully commit wholeheartedly, amazing things can happen.
I hope this resonates with you... my 4-year-old son and a 10-year-old stranger have taught and reminded me of a very powerful lesson.
So the next time you’re at the pool and you watch someone do a flip, remember, it’s the commitment that made it so.
P.S. So did I flip? Stay tuned for Part 2 ... there might just be a video :)
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You’ve got this. And I’ve got your back.
To your speaking success,
Kevin Snyder
Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)
Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!
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