Hi , What does it feel like to perform something for the first time?
Feelings of fear, insecurity and, inferiority embrace us and protect us from doing whatever is outside of our norm.
This protection can be to our detriment.
We have thoughts, such as:
“I am not ready”
“Perhaps I should put it off”
“Am I doing the right thing?”
“There are so many other people doing it so much better than I could”
“I don’t want to embarrass myself and look foolish”
“What if I fail?”
We are not always conscious of how we rationalize
that‘what is’, is good enough.
“Trying something new, stretching
beyond our comfort zone isn’t necessary”
“I’ve got everything I need.”
“It would be foolish to take the risk.”
Mediocrity stifles dreams!
Performing something for the first time is uncomfortable.
Usually, it is not going to be perfect.
It will probably be far from perfect.
It is likely to be awful!
First attempts at anything - writing, presentations, a physical activity, a run, boot camp, CrossFit, yoga, a new recipe, first introductions, first dates, artwork, speaking a new language, singing, playing an instrument ....there is a strong possibility it won’t be great.
How do you get over the feelings of self-doubt?
Stealing the line from NIKE--JUST DO IT!
To get better you need to take that first awful step.
Abraham Lincoln failed at multiple business attempts and runs at political office before he was elected President
JK Rowling the author of the Harry Potter series was rejected 12 times before Harry became known as a world-famous Wizard.
Michael Jordan didn’t become great by giving up after being cut from his high school basketball team
Oprah didn't become who she is by giving up after she was fired from her Baltimore anchor job.
They were less than perfect; failed, failed fast and kept going.
With every failure, they learned what to do; what not to do; how to reposition, restructure and do over.
Taking the first awful step with persistence and perseverance is where we find success.
It is in doing over that we break through the routine.
It is in doing over that we find the joy.
“In order to get better, you are going to have to do it badly. There is no way around it. So your first podcast will be awful. Your first video will be awful. Your first article will be awful. Your first art will be awful. Your first photo will be awful. Your first game will be awful. But you can’t make your 50th without making your first. So get it over with and make it.” ~Cathy Heller, Don’t Keep Your Day Job Podcast
It sucks to suck but we can get past the self-doubt and insecurity if we allow ourselves to take the dream off the shelf and get the first awful step over with.
Do it AWFUL! It won’t be awful for long.
~Nancy "Movement is Magic"
Nancy Smith Vibrant You Coaching "Faith, Focus, Finish"
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