“Your first workout will be bad.
nYour first podcast will be bad.
nYour first speech will be bad.
nYour first video will be bad.
nYour first ANYTHING will be bad.
nBut you can’t make your 100th without making your first.
nSo put your ego aside, and start.”
– Edgar Alan Doughn
n
n
The Fear That Holds Us Back
n
You’ve probably said this before:
n
- n
- n
“I want to start a YouTube channel, but I don’t know if I’m good on camera.”
n
- n
“I’ve been meaning to write a blog, but I’m not a great writer.”
n
- n
“I want to switch careers, but what if I fail?”
n
n
n
n
n
What’s stopping you isn’t the lack of skills.
nIt’s the expectation of perfection.
n
n
The Ugly Truth: Your First Will Be Bad
n
And that’s okay. It’s supposed to be.
n
- n
- n
Your first blog post may have awkward structure.
n
- n
Your first code might break every few lines.
n
- n
Your first pitch may fall flat.
n
n
n
n
n
But what matters is you started.
n
Think about this:
nNo one ever became a master without being a mess first.
n
n
Everyone Starts Somewhere (Even the Greats)
n
Let’s take a look at some real examples:
n
🎥 YouTubers
n
MKBHD’s first video? A grainy screencast with zero production value.
nToday? Over 18 million subscribers.
n
🧠 Writers
n
James Clear’s early blog posts had little traffic.
nHe kept writing — now he’s the author of Atomic Habits, a global bestseller.
n
💼 Professionals
n
The first resume you write will probably miss keywords and structure.
nBut with each version, it gets better. And one day, it lands you your dream job.
n
You can’t optimize what you haven’t published.
n
n
Why Most People Never Reach 100
n
Because they never allow themselves to publish the 1st.
n
They delay, tweak, overthink, wait for “the right time”… and years pass.
n
Here’s what I’ve learned coaching professionals for over a decade:
n
n
Done is better than perfect. Consistency beats brilliance.
n
n
n
Start with the Right Mindset
n
Here’s how to start imperfectly but powerfully:
n
1. Give Yourself Permission to Be a Beginner
n
You’re not supposed to be great when you start.
nRemove the pressure to impress — focus on expressing.
n
2. Track Progress, Not Praise
n
Your first blog may not get 100 views.
nBut it’s a stepping stone to your tenth, which might go viral.
n
3. Build in Public
n
Post your early drafts. Share behind-the-scenes.
nLet people see your journey. That’s how trust and connection are built.
n
4. Learn Out Loud
n
Instead of saying “I’m not good yet,” say:
n
n
“I just started. I’m learning fast. And I’ll keep improving.”
n
n
n
🧰 Starter Checklist: How to Begin When You’re Scared to Start
n
- n
- n
Choose one thing: Resume, blog, fitness, content, speaking, just one.
n
- n
Set a timer: 30 minutes. Just start.
n
- n
Focus on quantity: Aim to create 10 pieces, not perfect ones.
n
- n
Ask one trusted friend for feedback (not validation).
n
- n
Review every week: What improved? What can you tweak?
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
🔗 Helpful Resources From This Blog
n
- n
n
n
⚡ Real Comments From the Career Community
n
n
“I had been postponing my first LinkedIn post for 6 months. I finally hit publish last week and I’m so glad I did.”
n
n
n
“My first podcast episode sounded like I was talking into a tin can. But by episode 15, people started messaging me with appreciation.”
n
n
n
“I used to think every resume had to be perfect before applying. But sending imperfect ones faster actually got me interviews.”
n
n
n
✨ Final Words
n
You don’t need to be perfect.
nYou need to be brave enough to start.
n
Remember:
n
- n
- n
No one talks about your first.
n
- n
Everyone celebrates your 100th.
n
- n
But you never get there unless you start somewhere.
n
n
n
n
n
So whether it’s a new role, a new skill, or a new content format
nTake that messy first step.
n
Because your 1st will be bad…
nBut your 100th will be brilliant.