While at the gym recently I was looking around the room, observing. It is one way I learn ideas for new exercises. It wasn’t long before I found myself thinking about the difference in levels of fitness in the room. I started thinking about how everyone in that room got there through a different experience. Some started longer ago on their fitness journey, maybe as young kids through sports or by example of active parents. Others started more recently. There may even have been some people in the room who had started their fitness journey that day. For others, fitness may have come and gone from their lives over the years.
Later that same day I was at home and opened a new app I had downloaded. I had always wanted to be fluent in a second language but had never prioritized it regarding money or time. A friend had recently introduced me to a free app that could help me learn a language. He had been using it for some time already, so he was many lessons ahead of me in Spanish. I started from the beginning and completed several lessons, with plenty of errors along the way. It was fun but I am nowhere near the level of Spanish as a second language as many people are. My plan is to continue using the app to get better.
A few months ago, I was introduced to someone who is very passionate about diving. Through an online dive group we both belong to, we chatted about our different dive experiences. He asked me how many times I had been diving. I told him my small number and he shared how many dives he had been on. He had been diving thousands of times more than I had. Literally, thousands. He is way more knowledgeable about diving than I am. On the other hand, I have a friend and future dive buddy who will be taking a dive certification course later this year. A newbie to the world of diving.
Have you ever wanted to do something but didn’t because you were afraid to be the new person? I certainly have. Maybe you felt intimidated by all the people who were leaps and bounds ahead of you in whatever it was you wanted to try. They could have years of experience while you have, well, none. It can be intimidating to try something new, especially when surrounded by people who have been engaged in the activity for years. Should we let that stop us from engaging in the activity? Nope. Everyone was new to everything they do at some point. There is a first for everyone with everything they do. Every Olympic athlete had a first time in their sport. Every musician had a first time picking up their instrument. Every person you work with had a first day on the job. Every yoga instructor had a first yoga experience before ever instructing their first class. Every person riding a bike went for their first ride at some point.
Why are we so often afraid to be the new person? Probably because no one likes to look like they don’t know what they are doing. Have you ever actually been judged for being new to something? Maybe you have, as I’m sure it happens, but I think it is rare and I think the fear inside our minds is greater than the reality of judgement ever actually happening. Before I continue, please allow me a side note. Please don’t ever be the one who judges the new person. Be the one, instead, who welcomes them and offers support.
What might you be missing out on because of fear of being new? What impact does it have on those around us when we are afraid to be new at something? Each time an individual grows in their own development, it strengthens those around them. You should absolutely try new things for yourself. That should be your number one reason to try something new. But know that the benefits can reach far beyond just you. Don’t let the fear of being the newbie keep you from trying something.