HeroLife®

Let’s talk about something we all go through but hate to admit—struggling with something, feeling totally out of our depth, and then working hard until we’re finally good at it. Why is that embarrassing? I’ll go first.

Not too long ago, I was embarrassingly bad at public speaking. You know, the whole shaky hands, racing heart, and forget-what-I-was-saying-halfway-through bad. Every time I had to speak in front of a group, I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was kind of mortifying.

But instead of running from it, I leaned into it. I signed up for a local Toastmasters club (yes, voluntarily), forced myself to keep getting up there, and slowly started to improve. I fumbled, made a few awkward jokes, but week by week, something changed—I got better. Now, I can stand up, talk about almost anything, and actually enjoy the process. I’m not saying I’m TED Talk-ready, but compared to where I started? Light-years ahead.

So, why would I be embarrassed about that? Why would any of us be embarrassed about struggling with something hard and then getting better? If anything, that’s hero stuff right there! Here’s why we should embrace it instead of trying to sweep it under the rug.

1. The Struggle Is the Story

I think we’ve all been trained by social media to only show the highlight reel—the perfectly filtered vacation, the “just closed!” posts, the humble brags about achievements. But no one gets to the top without a few (or a lot) of stumbles along the way. And here’s the kicker: That’s where the good stuff is. That’s the story.

Imagine watching a superhero movie where the hero is never tested, never pushed to their limit, and never has to overcome anything. Boring, right? We all know Batman’s struggle is half of what makes him Batman. The struggle is where we grow, and where we earn our stripes.

It’s the same in real life. Maybe you’re embarrassed about the time you tried to learn how to code and nearly threw your laptop out the window (been there). Or maybe you bombed your first big presentation at work. So what? That’s part of the journey! Instead of hiding it, own it. In fact, laugh about it—it makes the victory so much sweeter.

2. The Awkward Stage Is Temporary (But Hilarious in Retrospect)

Ever see an awkward middle school photo of yourself? You cringe, right? Braces, bad haircut, questionable fashion choices? But guess what—that person was on their way to becoming who you are now. The same goes for anything new or difficult we tackle in life.

When I first started working out, I had no idea what I was doing. I was that person fumbling with the weights, watching YouTube videos on how to do a squat without looking like a baby giraffe learning to walk. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and honestly, a little embarrassing.

But now? I can confidently walk into the gym and hold my own (mostly). I might still have a few awkward moments—like the time I tripped getting off the treadmill—but hey, progress is progress. The point is, the awkward phase is just that—a phase. And once you’re on the other side of it, it becomes a funny story to share at dinner parties, not something to be ashamed of.

3. Working Hard Isn’t a Weakness, It’s a Superpower

Here’s the thing: No one wakes up amazing at everything. Those people you see crushing it in their careers or hobbies? They worked hard to get there. They failed, learned, failed again, and kept going.

Let’s take a real-world example: remember Simone Biles at the 2020 Olympics? The media was all over her for stepping back from some events due to mental health concerns, and people had opinions. But what did she do? She came back stronger and proved that working hard and taking care of yourself isn’t a weakness—it’s strength. That’s hero material right there.

Whether it’s in sports, business, or personal growth, hard work is the secret sauce. And if you’re embarrassed about admitting you had to work hard at something, let me tell you: you’re missing the point. Working hard means you’re determined, resilient, and willing to put in the effort to get where you want to go. That’s nothing to hide—it’s something to celebrate!

4. Nobody’s Watching You as Closely as You Think

I’ve found that we tend to think everyone’s paying attention to our every mistake, every stumble, every time we trip over our words or mess up a task. But newsflash: they’re not. People are too busy worrying about their own struggles to be laser-focused on yours.

Case in point: I used to be terrified of making mistakes in front of clients. I’d replay every little thing in my head afterward, convinced they noticed every single slip-up. But one day, I casually mentioned to a client that I had been nervous about a particular meeting we’d had. You know what they said? “Really? I didn’t even notice.” And that’s when I realized: we’re all too wrapped up in our own stuff to obsess over anyone else’s.

So, if you’re embarrassed that something was hard for you and now you’re better at it, let that go. No one’s keeping score but you. What people will remember is the growth, the improvement, and the way you kept going when things got tough.

Why should we be embarrassed about working hard to get better at something? If anything, that’s the kind of thing that should make us proud. Struggling isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you’re learning, growing, and pushing yourself to new heights. The awkward phase is temporary, and at the end of it all, you’ve got a success story that’s uniquely yours.

So, next time you find yourself in that uncomfortable “I’m not good at this yet” phase, don’t shy away from it. Embrace it. Laugh at it. Own it. Because one day, when you’re on the other side, you’ll look back and realize it wasn’t embarrassing—it was the making of you.

Know a Hero? We’d Love to Hear Their Story!

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to help others? We want to celebrate them! Share their story with us and nominate them as a hero. Your nomination could inspire others and remind us all of the incredible impact one person can have on a community.