If I told you to go out and try something new and suck at it, could you? When I first heard that suggestion, I cringed. I grew up as a perfectionist, and sucking at something did not fit into my view of the world.

When we want to make changes in our lives, we need to try new things. Trying new things means that we might suck at it for awhile before we figure it out.

Going into business for myself, I have been slowly learning how to do something and suck at it. I will be honest with you: some days my suckiness is hard to stomach. I’m growing a stronger stomach.

If you want to try doing new things or try new ways of being, you might make some mistakes. It’s okay. Here’s how to go about trying new things, being willing to suck, and holding on to your stomach.

1. Identify your target.
2. Map out your plan.
3. Go for it.
4. Pat yourself on the back.
5. Learn from where you went wrong, and make a new plan.
6. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 until you decide to quit the endeavor or have mastered your target.

This plan is easily replicated for simple things such as eating a little healthier during the day, taking five minutes to meditate in the morning, or taking a moment of gratitude before you begin your day.

It can also be used for complicated things like learning to market a new business (this is currently where I’m learning to stomach my own suckiness), training for and running a half-marathon (kudos to my friend Julie and her whole family for their endeavor last weekend!), or learning to create your own website
Whatever new endeavor you’re shooting for, it’s okay to suck. In fact, it’s bound to happen. Embrace it and pat yourself on the back anyway.
 
Are you willing to suck? Share your stories!
 

Here’s an end note on the photo, since you are likely wondering what it has to do with this post.

First, in case you haven’t figured it out already, I take all of the photos you see on this blog and in my newsletter. My goal is to keep it up to keep my right brain active. I’m not a famous photographer, though photography is one of my creative endeavors where I’m willing to suck.

Second, this photo is of my husband’s head. I cut his hair. It’s pretty straightforward, and I’ve been doing it for years. Well, we had a little mishap with the clipper guard two weeks ago. Even after all these years, I cut a patch of hair without the guard on, and he looked a little funny for a week. No matter how practiced we think we are, we can still have moments where we suck. Thank goodness Paul is a patient and generally low-maintenance guy. Just one of the many reasons I love him.