We tend to focus on getting good at stuff a lot.
This makes sense for obvious reasons – you’d rather get good at something than get bad at it. You want to get good. You want to get better. You want to progress. You want to be an expert. It’s logical.
I like getting good at things, sure but it’s really easy to get caught up in getting good at something that you never try anything new.
So I try to get bad at things.
Take CrossFit
I’m trying CrossFit for the first time. I’m not very good at it. In fact, I’m pretty bad. Last week was my first time ever trying it. I made it through 2 workouts of me not knowing what to do and looking stupid only to finish and spend the rest of the week waddling around incredibly sore.
I’m going back this week.
See, I actually like being bad at things.
Knowing nothing. Figuring it out along the way. Making mistakes. Knowing you’re way out of your comfort zone and doing it anyways.
So every now and then I focus on getting bad at things. Quick.
And the easiest way to do this: try new things.
Obviously, I don’t try getting *worse* at things once I’m bad at them, but when I jump into something new, I’m acutely aware that I’m getting fairly bad at something fairly quickly.
It happened when I started blogging. When I started running triathlons. When I did my marathon. And now when I’m starting CrossFit.
When you try something, you get bad at it really quick and you have to start learning constantly. And, when you start out bad, there’s no where to go but up.
The good thing is: I’ve got a lot more things to get bad at.
Try getting bad at something. Most things you’re not naturally good at so this should be pretty easy. Just try something. You’ll mess up. You’ll screw up. And you’ll be okay.
Try it.
When’s the last time you got bad at something?
That’s exactly how I felt about trying out “barefoot” running. I was just starting to get back to PRs on my 5Ks, and I knew it would set me back, probably for months. On the other hand, I also knew my form was bad, and I might learn something that would pay off dividends for years after that. So, I got bad to get good.
It’s almost as if you reset your capability in order to get a higher ceiling. It’s easy to “good” something, but you have to be willing to go from “good” to “bad” in order to get to “great.” Sounds a little backwards sometimes, but it’s true.
Joel,
After reading this I realize I’m always bad at everything . . . when I start! Started skydiving lessons this past summer and on first jump, I was turned around 180 degrees and trying to land at wrong end of airport 🙂 But after 20 jumps I can usually land within 10-15 yards of a target.
Oh . . . like to hear more how you like CrossFit . . . Kurt
That’s pretty awesome. You fully certified now, right?
CrossFit is a lot of fun. Hurts me in way too many different ways, but it’s all stretching me in a good way.
Joel, don’t have my license but almost. Have a few more things to check off the list. Then have to jump with a designated instructor and demonstrate different turns etc. Sort of like taking a drivers test to get a license 🙂 I’ll let you know how it goes, Kurt
Yup. A lot of people don’t like to step out of their comfort zones, for whatever reason, and they never get any better. For example, I rock climb quite a bit. I could spend my time doing routes that I know are within my ability so that I won’t fall, but I’ll never be able to climb the more difficult routes UNLESS I work on those harder routes. Sometimes I never make it to the top…ALL DAY! Not once! But the next time I’m at the gym, climbing those same routes that I couldn’t get the time before, I make it a little further. The moves that seemed impossible are now within my reach. So, yeah…you’ve got to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, always work to get better…even if that means you suck in the process.
I can’t run a six-minute mile. But I’m trying. I look like a fool in the process, and people probably think I’m going to die…but I’m getting closer every day.
You have to suck before you can get better. And I suck at a lot of things.
Well said Steven. Good luck on the 6 minute miler
This is going to be a classic post. You have blogging dangerously close to an art.
Thanks for being willing to suck at things and inspire others to take risks!
I do my best! :). Thanks Chris.
*amen* Chris isn’t kidding. You have blogging dangerously close to an art. Every time I read something you’ve written, I find my heart races. It’s always so exciting and inspires me to suck at stuff. 🙂 But in the best possible way. Thank you for finding new ways to inspire me to try new things constantly. Thank you!
THis is freaking AWESOME!
Thanks Rita. Now get out there and get bad at some things!
Totally agree Joel. My father always told me that it isn’t practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect. To get to the stage of “perfect practice” though you need to screw up A LOT.
Thanks for linking to Expert Enough too. I actually wrote a piece on their that is on the same topic of this post.
http://expertenough.com/491/stop-being-a-perfectionist
Saw it. Loved it!
This is gold. Not many people realise this;). first time doing anything is always the best. Like Steve Jobs said: stay young stay hungry, stay foolish( I don’t remember the exact quote, someone correct me please;)
Stay hungry, Stay foolish. i think 🙂
My BF likes to bowl so I joined his bowling league with him – I suck at bowling….so I bought shoes, a ball, and I go practice on my own and I still suck…so I got a training session….and I still suck….but I keep trying and every once in a while I have a huge victory (4 strikes in a row last night!!) – He scoffs at my efforts- says I’m trying too hard and I should relax….ironic because I want to get better so he will be proud of me. BUT it is outside my comfort zone and I have learned a lot about the sport and I enjoy it. Looking for the next big thing to suck at…
Haha, bowling is one of those things you get better at over time. I used to be fairly decent, but I’m lucky to bowl 125 these days 🙂