Don’t you just hate being average at something? Don’t most of us want to look really good at whatever we do, whether we’re leading a meeting, grilling a burger, or playing an instrument? We are a nation that needs to excel and since we are often defined by what we do, doing it in an average or mediocre way must define us as subpar, or not quite good enough.
We may want to be excellent—and to strive for perfection—but often we’re going to have to start off making mistakes, looking foolish and even being mediocre in order to master the task. And for many of us there will be numerous things we’ll never excel in, but the endeavor will still be worth doing just for the fun of it, or the learning experience, or for any number of other reasons.
A perfect example of “fear of not being perfect” is a program I taught years ago. I was hired to create and teach a workbook on presentational skills for Dunn & Bradstreet. Their experts marketed the program but there was a problem, people weren’t signing up. Then marketing had a brilliant idea and put in one extra line: “You do not have to get up and speak” and the classes filled up. People wanted to learn public speaking, as long as they didn’t have to get up and speak, and look foolish as they learned.
When we decide our unique self-worth is not tied up in how well we do everything, then we have the ability to get out there and get comfortable being uncomfortable. This is how we’re going to learn, and in many instances, become experts in something new.
Think about something you’d like to learn that could enhance your career or simply add value and joy to your life. Then strategize how you can start the learning process. It might be creating 20 minutes to study three days a week, signing up for a course or finding a mentor. There are numerous ways to become proficient at something, as long as we’ve the courage to be just average first.
Remember thoughts become actions—I’m OK with how I appear to others, I’m learning. Actions become habits—I’m starting to feel more comfortable with this and enjoy the learning process. Habits become who we are—unique and daring and modeling courage for all those other folks who believe it’s either perfection or nothing, who miss out on the adventure and the fun!
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