When was the last time you threw yourself into something you weren’t sure you’d be good at? Recently, I was invited to join a women’s basketball team. Confession: I’m terrified of team sports. Since school, I’ve associated missed shots and undefended opponents with disappointment and anger. So my initial response was, “Nope, not happening.”
There’s a common idea that to be successful, you should focus on what you’re good at—put in the 10,000 hours, perfect the craft, reap the rewards. In a culture obsessed with productivity, it can feel like every spare moment should be spent sharpening our skills or finding ways to monetise our hobbies. Don’t get me wrong, growth and dedication matter, but they don’t need to drive everything we do. Trying things we’re not good at reminds us that messing up is part of life. Even if we flop and fail over and over again, our efforts are never wasted. Here’s why:
it counters perfectionism
Perfectionism often stops us from trying things we might not nail. In The New York Times article “In Praise of Mediocrity”, Tim Wu notes that many people avoid hobbies or personal projects in fear of being bad at them. “We are intimidated by the expectation—itself a hallmark of our intensely public, performative age—that we must actually be skilled at what we do in our free time . . . If you’re a jogger, it is no longer enough to cruise around the block; you’re training for the next marathon. If you’re a painter, you are no longer passing a pleasant afternoon, you are trying to land a gallery show or at least garner a respectable social media following.” Giving yourself permission to be imperfect loosens perfectionism’s grip and often makes life a little less serious.
it builds confidence and resilience
Personal growth comes from messing up and learning from your mistakes. Trying new skills activates the brain’s problem-solving circuits and builds resilience. Failing in low-stakes situations, like a bowling game or a dance class, makes it easier to handle high-stakes setbacks, like in work or relationships. Over time, the fear of being bad gives way to confidence, making it easier to take risks, bounce back and even show compassion when others fail.
it strengthens social bonds
Want to know what really freaks me out about joining a basketball team? That people will see my lack of athleticism, watch me make silly mistakes and think I’m less cool. That sounds very dramatic, but it’s these far-fetched fears that often hold us back. The “pratfall effect” in social psychology shows that messing up actually makes us more likeable. When we laugh at our mistakes and let others see our flaws, people find it easier to connect with us. After all, who would you rather be around—the person who’s good at everything, or the one who gives things a go?
it creates new opportunities
We sometimes avoid trying new things because we think they’ll distract from our current interests. But stretching into unfamiliar territory can enhance them. Author Julia Cameron calls this “creative cross-
training”—doing something outside your wheelhouse to open new doors and invite fresh ideas. That’s why musicians are encouraged to pick up a second, different instrument and writers to dabble in other art forms. Doing things you’re bad at can make you better at things you’re good at.
Our culture idolises mastery, but there’s joy to be found in doing things just because.Next time you’re reluctant to try something you might be bad at, ask yourself, does it matter? If the answer is no, give it a go.
