Anything worth doing is worth doing wrongly, poorly, or badly—at first. My position has always been and will always be that we should do the best we can. That being said, sometimes the best we can do does not turn out so smoothly.
One instance when it is particularly fine to be bad, even when we are giving our best effort, is when we are starting something new. I know some people are so good at everything and they do well instantly no matter what they attempt to do. The majority of us though will have growing pains.
Growing pains apply equally to when we are doing something completely new or when we are advancing to a new level of difficulty. We just have to give it times. As we repeat whatever the action is enough times, we become good (or at least better).
Weightlifting for dummies
I remember when I was a freshman in high school I asked my parents for a weightlifting set. The prior year I went out for the track team and had a very good season that culminated with a 6th place finish at Junior Olympic Nationals in the 1500-meter run. I wanted to be stronger (and I wanted ripped muscles) so I could compete with the varsity runners.
I got a modest DP set with red and black sand-filled weights that I could use to make dumbbells or barbells. I could also rack them for leg curls and extensions. Bench pressing a weight is not a hard activity to learn: lower the bar and lift the bar. However, on more than one occasion I was alone in my workout area pressing the barbell and trying to lift more than I could handle. To escape I had to maneuver one end of the bar to the floor and wriggle my way out of my dilemma. I cannot imagine a weightlifting scenario worse and just plain uglier than that.
Success is a failure away
I do not suggest you get trapped under a barbell anytime soon. I do highly recommend allowing yourself room to fail as you try something new or go for a higher challenge. The failures will help you grow if you are unwilling to give up.
Ask yourself, “What am I avoiding because I think it will be hard for me to do it well?”
Is it that new dance aerobics class that all your friends talk about, but you keep saying you are too uncoordinated to try?
Is it an eating program that you did successfully years ago, but now after so many life changes you are afraid that you just will not do as well this time?
Whatever it is you want to do, just take the first step. It might be a wobbly one, but it is still a step forward. It is OK to look a little silly, stumble with your goals, and bring the worst out of yourself as long as you are doing the best you can do.
As always, your comments are welcomed. Today is the only day you have to earn your victory. Have a winning day!
Live encouraged,
Leon
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