Overcome the Fear of Starting
Posted on August 19, 2024 by Jerry Henderson, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." - Zig Ziglar
Have you ever found yourself holding back from something you truly want to do, simply because you’re afraid you might not be good at it? You’re not alone.
One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to start something new is the fear of not being good at it. It’s that nagging thought, “What if I suck at it and fail?”
But here’s the reality: you probably will suck at it in the beginning, and that’s okay. The key to moving forward and creating the life you want lies in overcoming that fear.
Let’s explore five key strategies you can use to break free from the fear of sucking at something and start moving toward the life you want.
1. Reframe Your Mindset:
The first step to overcoming the fear of being bad at something is to change how you view failure. Instead of seeing it as a reflection of your abilities, see it as part of the learning process. Remember, sucking at something when you start is simply a sign that you’re on a journey to growth. Every time you fail or struggle, you’re actually gaining valuable experience that will help you improve.
2. Take the First Step:
This might seem obvious, but it’s often the hardest part. The only way to get better at something is to start doing it. Action is the antidote to fear. Once you take that first step, you’ll begin to see that the fear is often worse than the reality. And even if you do struggle at first, that’s just proof that you’re trying something new and challenging yourself.3. Start Small and Build Confidence:
You don’t have to tackle the whole mountain at once. Break down your goal into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach allows you to build confidence gradually, celebrating small wins along the way. As the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” By focusing on small steps, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to keep going.
4. Seek Support and Guidance:
You don’t have to go through this journey alone. Whether it’s a mentor, a coach, or a friend, having someone to support you can make a world of difference. They can provide encouragement, advice, and perspective when you need it most. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help—sometimes, all we need is a little nudge to keep moving forward.
5. Celebrate Your Wins:
It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not going well, but don’t forget to acknowledge your successes too. Every small victory is a step closer to your goal, and it’s important to recognize and celebrate those moments. By focusing on what you’re doing right, you’re training your brain to see your potential rather than your shortcomings. This positive reinforcement will help you build the resilience you need to keep going.
Bonus Tip: Visualize Success AND Overcoming Challenges:
Finally, take time to visualize not just your success, but also the challenges you’ll face along the way and how you’ll overcome them. This practice can help you mentally prepare for obstacles and give you the confidence to tackle them when they arise. It’s about building resilience and training your mind to push through fear and doubt.As you reflect on these strategies, I encourage you to think of that one thing you’ve been avoiding because of the fear of not being good at it. What is it costing you to not pursue it? What opportunities are you missing out on, and more importantly, what kind of person could you become if you just took that first step?
I hope these insights will inspire you to face your fears and start moving toward your goals and the person you want to become.
If you want to go deeper on this topic you can watch or listen to the podcast episode I did on “Overcoming the Fear of Sucking” on YouTube, Apple or Spotify.
I am grateful you are here,
Jerry
