Prepare To Start Doing Things Before You’re Good At Them
Your first podcast will probably make you cringe when you listen back. Publish it anyway. Your first blog post will feel clunky and unrefined. Put it out anyway. Your first gathering might feel awkward, your first meeting may not flow, your first social post might land flat, your first book will not be the book you dream of writing. And that is ok.
These firsts are not failures. They are teachers.
It is the reps, the trying, the learning, the iterating that grow your skills and your wisdom. Every attempt adds something new. You try, you learn, you adjust, you upskill and then you try again.
The problem is we look at others and don’t realise how far they’ve come or how hard they’ve worked to get there.
Everyone has to develop their skills, even those with strong natural aptitudes. Confidence, skill and capability are hard-earned. They are the result of intentional effort, consistent work and the humility to be unskilled along the way.
“I am always doing what I can’t do yet in order to learn how to do it.”
(Yes, some will judge and criticise your learning journey. But it’s not coming from people who have actually tried themselves. People who have built something know what it takes to develop skill, and they’re focused on their own work rather than judging others. The critical voices are not worth listening to.)
Over time, you will get better. Your skills will grow. Your confidence will increase. You will learn what works and what does not. And you will begin to shape your own way of doing things.
But without reps, you do not get stronger. Without attempts, you do not improve. Without giving things a go, you won't learn.
So begin.
Take the first imperfect step. Put your ideas into practice. Try the thing.
Each attempt is helping you become the person who has the skill and confidence to carry what you dream of building.
With you in the journey,
Justine
Reflection:
What is one thing you’ve been holding back from starting because you don’t feel ready or skilled enough? How could you take the first imperfect step this week and learn as you go?