How I envy their effortless eloquence when writing. Their words flow with such grace and finesse. How they express themselves with such effortless ease, their words completely captivating us.
I wish I could write like that!
This is how I would feel each time I read any of my favourite books, or books by my favourite authors.
I’m sure each of you feels like this when you see something better. Polished speakers, accomplished writers, successful entrepreneurs, or even skilled professionals.
Their perfection dazzles you. And then that leads you to compare them with where you are. A big mistake as it creates feelings of being not-good-enough or unworthy in you.
What you ignore is you’re comparing their chapter twenty with your chapter one. You missed out on witnessing their early progress, those awkward attempts. They did not reach here in a day or month.
What you need to understand is there will always be a gap between where you are and where you want to be. You’ve to cross that bridge at you own pace and time.
That bridge isn’t just your talent or capability. That bridge is your courage to try and be at it.
Every Skill Begins With Being Bad
First few attempts are always unpolished and wobbling and unsteady. Be it the baby’s first steps or your first draft.
What’s common between each of these first attempts is the courage to try again and again.
You lose count of how many times the baby falls and gets up to try to take the first few steps.
The first presentation was awkward but that didn’t stop you from preparing it the next time.
First time I entered the class room, I had every variety of butterfly doing the Zumba in my stomach as forty pairs of eyes bored into me.
It’s easy to say that’s its normal to feel nervous or anxious. But this feeling still plagues me, and you, when you’re doing something for the first time.
It’s not because you haven’t prepared or are not capable.
It’s because you know what’s acceptable, what ‘good’ looks like. And you know you haven’t yet developed the ability to produce it.
That honesty is the first step in recognising the gap. It’s not failure. It’s an honest confession to yourself. And this is the part everyone wants to skip.
It shows your acknowledgement of your high standards, and your deep desire to grow and improve.
When I was preparing to conduct my first workshop, I had notes enough for a complete course yet I felt unprepared.
I could hear my heart thumping like those big African drums. Usually eloquent yet I was searching for the right words to begin.
Looking back, I realise that those fears were unfounded.
Courage Is More Important Than Confidence
The first mistake is often to wait until you feel confident enough to begin. But doesn’t that confidence come from experience?
The repeated action, and learning from the mistakes, is what builds your confidence. And not the other way round.
Allow yourself to feel inexperienced so you can learn from every opportunity. You’ve to accept you’ve a long way to go and this is just the beginning.
Receive criticism without giving up. That feedback will help you improve.
And finally you’ve to have the courage to get up, dust yourself and get back into the game after every disappointment. There’s no staying down.
Every step is adding to the improvement you’re aiming for. It shows your willingness to be seen at this stage where you’re still in the process of being ready or perfect.
The courage comes before confidence, acting like a precursor than a pre-requisite.
Progress Belongs to Those Who Stay
One of the hardest conversations is the one you have with yourself. Because there are no filters, no place to hide the truth.
Before you begin, look in the mirror and admit to yourself that you’re not there yet but are on your way.
You can reach there with constant practice, repeating the actions, and learning from the mistakes.
Be self-aware about your strengths and weaknesses. Create your own path forward. Keep growing.
Avoid self-judgement. That will put a spanner on your progress. Why judge yourself when you’re still growing?
Your growth and progress are part of an ongoing process. They depend on you thinking “not yet”, not “never”.
I always end my practice sessions with “Good, but can still improve”, instead of “This is not good”. Works for me everytime.
Keep Building the Bridge
The gap between where you are and where you want to be will always exist. Its expanse will decrease with your every attempt to improve; with your courage to keep trying and not give up.
That courage will act as the bridge. Not your talent or your skill. They’ll get you to the starting line. But it’s the courage to move forward that will help you continue.
The people you admire and look up to today reached here because they had the courage to cross the bridge. They were simply brave enough to be beginners.
Your turn to uncover the courage and explore your potential.
