Maybe It's Okay to Suck

It sucks when you really suck at something. Or that’s how I used to think.

I hated the range of emotions connected to being a beginner: anxiety, self-doubt, and very often avoidance/procrastination. I am sure many of you can relate. But now, I’m seeing it differently. Rather than attaching mental angst and energy to my sucking, I focus on progressing through the I suck space, reframing it to the necessary learning space on my way to the I can do this and perhaps even I can be great at this space. While I have always loved learning and consider myself a lifelong learner, I have been impatient with myself in this initial learning space for something new. 

Dr. Becky (an amazing sharer of knowledge about parenting, living, and learning; if you’re not currently a disciple, I recommend becoming one) talks about The Learning Space, which she frames as the space between not knowing and knowing. Her insights are focused on students and learners, as she guides them to understand that being resilient in this space generally feels messy and unpleasant – and that’s normal. I’m applying her lessons to my own adult path. 

In the Fall of 2024, WTOP (a local radio station with millions of listeners) approached me with the idea of doing a podcast on entrepreneurs in the DC area, talking about their lessons and journeys. I was intrigued and agreed to do it. I knew it was a seriously legit opportunity to reach a huge audience, have (hopefully) valuable conversations, and share insights from fellow entrepreneurs for those on that journey or interested in that journey. I’ve had plenty of experience being a guest, being asked the questions, but I had very little experience in the host’s chair. We put together a team to develop the podcast, Founding DC. We set up a series of practice sessions with one of the team members role-playing as the guest. 

During the first practice session as host, I sucked. I left the studio that day worried…here I am, sucking, and soon, my suck will be on full display. I thought about bailing; I wondered if there was some sort of cheat code; and then, I thought about Dr. Becky’s lesson. I admitted I cared, I admitted I wanted to do well, and I knew that I could go on the journey of leveling up. I dove in. I scheduled more practice sessions. I engaged an amazing coach. I spent time in the uncomfortableness of the learning space. And guess what? I don’t suck nearly as much as I did when I started. We’ve done four podcast episodes and are now prepping for our fifth and sixth. And now, I am excited to do them. I am excited to keep learning. Whether or not I’m great, that’s for the audience to decide. The only thing I can do is treat it like a craft, get continuous coaching, allow myself to move and stumble through this learning space, and enjoy the process, even in the moments when I suck.