“Don’t be afraid to suck at something new.”
I’ve started practicing Krav Maga.
I really suck.
At embarrassing levels.
And I’m okay with that.
Actually, I’m happy about it.
Because I know one of the biggest things holding me back in business and in life is my fear of failure.
What if I can’t do it?
What if I’m not good enough?
What if someone judges me?
What if I feel stupid?
What if it doesn’t work?
And on and on and on goes the voice in my head…
Today we went into some sort of fighting exercise (it had a name, which I cannot remember – yet).
Boxing gloves and active sparring.
At one point in the circuit it was three on one.
Two guys and a girl in gloves, all coming at ME.
And no where to run or hide…
–> I could admit defeat before I gave it a shot…
–> I could allow confusion to take over (I’m supposed to block HOW now? Class one didn’t cover this!)…
–> Or I could embrace that it was about to suck and just give it everything I had.
So I chose that.
I am quite sure it was hilarious to watch.
But I hit, blocked and dodged whatever I saw coming my way.
It didn’t really work.
At one point, one of the guys said to me, as my cheek stung from a punch to the face, “Oh sorry! You good?” (He didn’t hit hard, it was controlled, but clearly I was new at this.)
My response: “No apology – you’re teaching to keep my hands up!”
Then I swung back (I missed).
So I swung again, kept attempting to block, and just gave it everything I had until we switched.
I made more “mistakes” in that two hour class than I could have counted.
(And yes, it was two hours… I thought I was showing up for an hour long class… but surprise it’s “Turkey Burn” day!)
Lots of “mistakes.” And I also LEARNED – a LOT.
Am I at any level of proficiency?
(insert hysterical laughter)
And that’s the point.
–> Beginner’s mindset.
–> Eagerness to learn.
–> Openness to doing new things.
When the instructor demoed the drills, if I couldn’t see well enough, I moved to where I could.
Even that small action was terribly out of my comfort zone!
(I’m one of those “stay in line” types.)
If I didn’t know what we were doing, I watched the guys who clearly knew what they were doing, and then did my best to model it.
If you don’t try, you can’t fail.
But if you don’t try, you also can’t win.
Tomorrow I’ll wake up sore.
And I’ll smile.
Knowing that today, I did something new. It was scary. And I dove it into, literally head first at times, and gave it 100%.
I’m still alive.
Wow, do you feel alive when you get punched in the face.
I can’t wait to go do it again.
Next time, I’ll be a little better.
What are you doing for the first time?
Are you willing to suck at it, so you can get good at it?
And to quote my favorite Millionaire Marketing Mentor, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly to start.” Adam Urbanski
