Getting started at something new can be a very challenging experience. The fear of the unknown or the fear of feeling not being good enough at something can paralyze you into not taking action.
When I first started Jiu Jitsu many years ago it was a very humbling experience. I was a big strong and athletic guy that felt like I could handle myself pretty well. I was quick to find out that as advertised by proficient jiu jitsu practitioners, none of that mattered. I was swept, arm barred and choked with ease by much smaller humans. My ego was very uncomfortable. I could have easily never gone back and found an excuse to be ok with that decision. I was lucky to have an instructor that noticed my discomfort and I use his words to me to this very day to try to help my clients get over their fears of coming to the gym. He said “Just show up. Trust me, if you show up, listen and do the things I ask, you will get better.”
This was a process I had used to get better at things my entire life but as an adult I had never really encountered starting as a complete novice. I remained nervous going back everyday knowing that I would get beat daily and then I started learning from all the losing. I was getting better although I was still getting swept and arm barred and choked. I became very comfortable losing because I was capable of seeing it as I was learning.
Don’t let the fear of not being good enough or the fear of judgement of others keep you from taking the first step and showing up. You will soon find the people that you thought were judging you were on your side and trying to help you all along.
Just show up today and put in the work. You will get better.
Steve
