The Beginner’s Leap: Why Starting Small Is the Most Courageous Thing You Can Do

Bonnie Strati
May 13
4 min read

"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." — Zig Ziglar

Good morning, friend.

Let’s talk about something that quietly holds so many of us back: ✨ The fear of being a beginner.

It’s subtle, but powerful. It’s the voice that says, “What if I’m terrible at this?” It’s the tightness in your chest when you consider starting something new and suddenly feel like an imposter before you even begin.

But here’s the truth: Being a beginner isn’t a weakness. It’s not a flaw. It’s the gateway to everything you’ve ever wanted to grow into.

🌱 The Resistance That Rises

We live in a world that celebrates expertise and polish. So naturally, the idea of being awkward, clunky, or new at something can feel like a threat to our worth. But it’s not. It’s a return to innocence. Curiosity. Humility. Presence.

Let me tell you a story...

🎥 The YouTube Spiral

Lately, I’ve been thinking about creating video content—coaching insights, wellness tips, little nuggets of wisdom I share with clients that I know could support others, too.

The vision excites me. But then I do the thing. I scroll YouTube and find polished creators with flawless lighting, cinematic transitions, and massive followings. And like clockwork, doubt rolls in.

Why would anyone watch me? I don’t have a ring light or the “right” equipment. What if I look awkward or ramble or freeze?

My inner critic, who moonlights as a production snob, gets very loud.

So no—I haven’t recorded that first video yet. But I’m getting closer. Because I remind myself: Even the most polished creator had a Day One. Even the most confident speaker once stared into a camera lens and felt like a deer in headlights.

💪🏼 The Stage That Almost Broke Me

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to face being a beginner. In my 20s, I decided to step into the world of competitive bodybuilding. I trained for months, dialed in my nutrition, and eventually stood under the lights for the very first time… and placed dead last.

It stung. Not just the ranking, but the vulnerability. The exposure. The disappointment.

But I didn’t walk away. I kept going. I learned. I grew stronger—physically and mentally. Five years later, I was winning shows and competing in the Jr. Nationals. That journey taught me something vital: The courage to be a beginner unlocks everything else.

🔄 Not Every Beginning Is Forever

Here's something else I want you to hear clearly: You don’t have to stick with everything you start. You’re allowed to try something, realize it’s not for you, and walk away. The win is in the willingness to explore—not in the outcome.

The fear of being a beginner is often tangled up in perfectionism. We think we have to be amazing right away—or why bother. But growth doesn’t ask you to be amazing. It just asks you to show up.

🌈 The Beauty of Being a Beginner

There’s something uniquely powerful about starting from scratch.

You get to be curious, not expert.
You get to stumble without shame.
You bring a fresh perspective no one else has.

In your first attempts, you build something essential: resilience. Every misstep, every messy draft, every awkward first attempt—it’s all part of the process. It's not evidence of failure. It's proof that you're becoming.

👣 Small Steps That Make a Big Difference

Here are a few steps to support your beginner’s journey:

🌱 Start small. Don’t focus on the whole staircase. Just take the first step—like signing up for a class, writing down your idea, or setting a simple goal.

🌱 Reframe failure. Mistakes are feedback, not proof you’re not good enough. Every stumble is a stepping stone.

🌱 Find support. Surround yourself with people who remember what it’s like to be new. Mentors, coaches, or friends who cheer you on (not those who critique from the sidelines).

🌱 Track your wins. Keep a “progress journal.” Record every tiny victory: showing up, trying again, asking a question, finishing that first rep. It builds momentum.

🧠 What Being a Beginner Does for Your Brain

Here’s the really cool part: Learning something new isn’t just good for your confidence—it’s good for your brain.

Every time you challenge yourself to step into something unfamiliar, your brain forms new neural connections. This process, called neuroplasticity, helps your mind stay sharp, adaptive, and resilient.

Being a beginner:

Improves memory and concentration
Sparks creativity and fresh thinking
Strengthens emotional regulation
Reduces the risk of cognitive decline as we age
Builds mental flexibility to handle life’s curveballs

So the next time you feel awkward fumbling through something new, remember: You’re not just building a skill. You’re literally training your brain to stay strong, agile, and alive. Being a beginner is brain gym—and it's lifelong wellness in motion.

🌀 What’s Waiting on the Other Side of Fear?

If you’ve been hesitating to start something—posting your first video, joining that dance class, launching your side business—let me remind you:

💛 You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to begin.

Let yourself be the kindergartener of your own next chapter—messy, playful, and full of wonder. Laugh at the awkwardness. Celebrate the courage. Keep going.

Because on the other side of that shaky first step… is your growth. Your power. Your becoming.

💬 Reflection Prompt:

What’s one thing you’ve been wanting to start but haven’t—because you’re afraid to be a beginner? What would happen if you gave yourself permission to be new?

💛 Let’s Talk:

Feeling stuck at the starting line? Let’s talk. I help women navigate transitions, rewrite their inner narratives, and take courageous first steps toward growth—with grace. 👉 Book a soulful coaching session and let’s start where you are.