Remember the last time you tried something new and felt like a fish out of water? Mine was going for Jitterbug dance lessons and having three left feet.
Most of us shy away from new experiences because we dread failing or looking foolish. It’s natural to want to stick with what we’re good at. It feels safe, easy and ego-friendly.
But being bad at the start isn’t a failure; it’s a necessary step in learning and growth.
In this article, we’ll explore six ways to embrace that awkward, “I have no idea what I’m doing” phase and turn it into a valuable opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
1. Accept That Awkward Is Normal
Let’s get one thing straight, everyone sucks at something new. Nobody shows up on day one as an expert, no matter how effortless they make it look.
Even the greats started awkwardly.
Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team and J.K. Rowling got rejected by a lot of publishers before Harry Potter became a household name.
Awkwardness is the price of admission for learning something new.
The trick is to embrace it.
Picture yourself wobbling on a bicycle as a kid. Sure, you might’ve fallen a few times but those falls taught you balance. The awkward phase is where the magic of growth happens.
Here’s how you can roll with it:
- Laugh It Off: Watch interviews or clips of experts talking about their cringe-worthy beginnings
- Write It Down: Feeling frustrated or self-conscious? Grab a journal and jot it down. Processing those emotions on paper can make them less intimidating
- Celebrate Small Wins: Managed to cook a new recipe without burning it? Pat yourself on the back. Every tiny step forward matters
2. Redefine Success
Chasing perfection is a surefire way to burn out fast. Instead of aiming to be flawless right away, focus on progress. Success isn’t about nailing it on your first try.
It’s about showing up, learning, and getting a little better each time. Think of it this way: small steps add up to giant leaps over time.
Learning the guitar? Don’t stress over playing a full song perfectly. Be happy if you can hit a single chord without buzzing. That’s real progress.
Here’s how to redefine what success looks like:
- Set Micro-Goals: Instead of tackling a big task head-on, break it down. Bite-sized goals make big tasks less overwhelming
- Track Your Growth: Keep a journal, take photos or record videos of your progress. Looking back on where you started is a great reminder of how far you’ve come
3. Laugh At Your Mistakes
Mistakes are part of the process, so why not laugh at them? Humor turns frustration into fun and keeps you from taking yourself too seriously.
Share your learning bloopers with friends. It normalizes the awkwardness and might even give everyone a good laugh.
Try documenting your “fail-forward” moments with photos or videos to see how far you’ve come.
Mistakes happen. The trick is to own them and keep going!
There’s no harm in looking and feeling like a jackass every once in a while.
4. Surround Yourself With Encouragement
Starting anything new as an entrepreneur can feel like walking a tightrope.
One wrong move and you’re questioning everything. But having the right support system can make all the difference between giving up and pushing through.
Look for beginner-friendly entrepreneurial communities or online spaces where people openly share their struggles.
It’s reassuring to see others working through their own hiccups, whether it’s navigating a tricky pitch or figuring out how to scale their side hustle.
Better yet, find an accountability buddy. A fellow entrepreneur who’s also learning the ropes to swap ideas, share resources and keep each other motivated.
The journey’s tough but having a supportive environment makes even the hardest lessons easier to tackle.
5. Embrace The Long Game
Building something meaningful whether it’s a business or a skill takes time. It’s easy to get impatient when you’re not seeing results fast enough.
Unfortunately, real progress is slow and filled with plenty of unexpected detours. So expect the unexpected.
Break your journey into manageable phases.
One important that was drilled into my mentality as a business owner that things worth doing take a lot longer to happen.
So please do not give up when you’re stuck or grinding it out.
6. Focus On The Fun, Not The Outcome
Think about why you started in the first place. Was it to enjoy yourself or to stress over being perfect? Focusing on the fun of learning something new can make the process far less daunting and way more rewarding.
Instead of treating a new venture like a chore, see it as playtime. Trying to figure out a new tool for your business? Think of it as a puzzle to solve rather than a task to check off.
Building your first campaign? Experiment with quirky headlines or offbeat visuals just for the thrill of it.
Remove the pressure of getting it “right” immediately and lean into the joy of discovery. Celebrate the messy moments as they’re often the most memorable.
Share Your Story
What’s the last new thing you tried that made you feel completely out of your depth? Share your experience—the wins, the struggles and those hilarious missteps. Let’s learn and laugh together!