The Suck Phase

You've decided to learn something new. Maybe it's coding, public speaking, playing guitar, or building a business. You've watched videos, read articles, seen others do it well. You have a vision of yourself as competent.

Then you start.

And you're awful.

Your code breaks in ways you don't understand. Your voice shakes when you present. Your fingers fumble on the fretboard. Your first sales calls are disasters.

This is where most people quit. They interpret their incompetence as a sign they're not cut out for this. That they lack talent. That they made a mistake even trying.

They're wrong. They've just entered what I call the Suck Phase. And they weren't prepared for it.