Embracing the Awkwardness: Why Being Bad is a Crucial Skill for Growth

Starting something new often feels uncomfortable. Your hands don’t move the way you want. Your timing is off. Your mind races ahead of your actual ability. This awkward phase is where most people want to rush through or avoid altogether. Yet, being bad at something is not a flaw or a setback. It is a skill in itself — a skill that demands patience, presence, and persistence.

Understanding why being bad matters can change how you approach learning and growth. This post explores why embracing awkwardness is essential and how staying with discomfort can lead to real progress.

Practicing piano with awkward hand movements

Why Being Bad Feels So Awkward

When you start learning a new skill, your brain is often ahead of your body. You know what you want to do, but your hands or voice or feet don’t cooperate yet. This disconnect creates frustration and self-doubt. You might feel like you’re failing or wasting time.

This awkwardness happens because your brain is building new connections. Your muscles and senses are learning unfamiliar patterns. This phase is unavoidable and necessary. It’s where your body and mind adjust to new demands.

Many people want to skip this stage. They want instant results or quick mastery. But rushing past awkwardness means missing the foundation of real skill. Like building a house without a strong base, skipping this phase leads to shaky progress.

Patience Is an Active Skill

Patience is often misunderstood as waiting passively. In reality, patience during learning is active. It means staying present with your mistakes and discomfort instead of escaping them.

When you practice patience, you:

• Resist the urge to quit when things get hard

• Avoid turning curiosity about your progress into harsh self-criticism

• Stay focused on the process, not just the outcome

  
  

This kind of patience builds resilience. It trains your mind to handle setbacks without losing motivation. Over time, this resilience becomes a key part of your skill set.

How to Stay Present When You Feel Like Giving Up

Staying present during awkward moments is challenging. Your mind wants to jump ahead or give up. Here are practical ways to stay grounded:

• Break tasks into small steps. Focus on one tiny part at a time instead of the whole challenge.

• Use mindful breathing. When frustration rises, take deep breaths to calm your mind.

• Celebrate small wins. Even a slight improvement is progress worth noticing.

• Keep a learning journal. Write down what you tried, what worked, and what felt difficult. This helps track growth and maintain perspective.

  
  

By practicing presence, you turn awkwardness into a learning opportunity instead of a barrier.

Notebook with notes on learning progress and reflections

Examples of Embracing Being Bad

Many successful people credit their early failures as crucial to their growth. Here are a few examples:

• J.K. Rowling faced multiple rejections before Harry Potter was published. She stayed with her writing despite setbacks.

• Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team but kept practicing and improving.

• Marie Curie struggled with early experiments that failed but persisted to make groundbreaking discoveries.

  
  

These stories show that being bad at something is not a sign of failure. It is part of the path to mastery.

The Skill You Might Be Practicing Is Staying

Sometimes, the most important skill is simply staying in the uncomfortable space. You might not get better today, but by not quitting, you build strength for tomorrow.

This skill applies beyond learning new hobbies or careers. It helps in relationships, personal growth, and facing life’s challenges. Staying present with difficulty builds confidence and self-trust.

Final Thoughts

Being bad at something is not a flaw but a phase that requires patience and presence. Instead of rushing past awkwardness, embrace it as a vital part of growth. Practice staying with discomfort, celebrate small wins, and keep your curiosity alive.

The real skill might not be the new ability you want to learn but the patience and resilience you develop along the way. When you accept being bad as part of the process, you open the door to lasting progress and deeper satisfaction.

-Briana Brookins

 Your journey matters. I’m growing with you every step of the way.If you want clarity on what comes next, I’m here.