What’s the last thing you challenged yourself to learn? Something that stretched you beyond what felt comfortable?
Maybe you took on a new leadership role, started speaking up more in meetings, or tackled a skill that had always felt out of reach. Whatever it was, chances are you hit a moment where it felt hard, where you struggled, second-guessed yourself. And then did you find yourself hesitating – not because you couldn’t do it but because you didn’t want to look bad doing it?
I’ve been experiencing exactly that with learning Spanish. I can spend hours practising on an app, getting all the answers right in private. But the real challenge? Actually speaking it in front of other people, knowing I’ll fumble, say things incorrectly, and look a bit foolish. That moment when I have to open my mouth and risk sounding ridiculous is where the real discomfort kicks in.
And yet, that’s the only way to truly improve. The safe option, sticking to the app, avoiding real conversations, feels comfortable, but it doesn’t stretch me. Growth happens when we push through the embarrassment and engage in the messy, imperfect reality of learning.
This is true for leadership, too. When we try new behaviours to develop our executive presence, whether that’s speaking with more authority, handling difficult conversations, or influencing at a higher level, it can feel unnatural and even inauthentic at first. We might worry about how we come across or compare ourselves to those who make it look effortless. But their ease comes from experience, the very experience we’re gaining when we push through our own discomfort.
So, where are you holding yourself back because you don’t want to look inexperienced or imperfect? And how might things change if you embraced the discomfort instead?
I’d love to hear, what’s stretching you beyond your comfort zone this year?
With love,
Sue
Maybe you took on a new leadership role, started speaking up more in meetings, or tackled a skill that had always felt out of reach. Whatever it was, chances are you hit a moment where it felt hard, where you struggled, second-guessed yourself. And then did you find yourself hesitating – not because you couldn’t do it but because you didn’t want to look bad doing it?
I’ve been experiencing exactly that with learning Spanish. I can spend hours practising on an app, getting all the answers right in private. But the real challenge? Actually speaking it in front of other people, knowing I’ll fumble, say things incorrectly, and look a bit foolish. That moment when I have to open my mouth and risk sounding ridiculous is where the real discomfort kicks in.
And yet, that’s the only way to truly improve. The safe option, sticking to the app, avoiding real conversations, feels comfortable, but it doesn’t stretch me. Growth happens when we push through the embarrassment and engage in the messy, imperfect reality of learning.
This is true for leadership, too. When we try new behaviours to develop our executive presence, whether that’s speaking with more authority, handling difficult conversations, or influencing at a higher level, it can feel unnatural and even inauthentic at first. We might worry about how we come across or compare ourselves to those who make it look effortless. But their ease comes from experience, the very experience we’re gaining when we push through our own discomfort.
So, where are you holding yourself back because you don’t want to look inexperienced or imperfect? And how might things change if you embraced the discomfort instead?
I’d love to hear, what’s stretching you beyond your comfort zone this year?
With love,
Sue
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