the fear of getting it wrong

What happens for you when you're afraid of getting it "wrong"? 

Do you relate to times where you're on eggshells, or hold back because you're worries that whatever you say or do might unintentionally hurt or offend someone, and that's the last thing you want to do?  

This has been at the front of my mind lately, as I was preparing for a workshop facilitation focusing, in part, on a framework for how to overcome barriers and continue to take steps forward along with how to receive and respond to feedback as an aspiring anti-racist.

These are so inextricably linked.  So often when we are afraid of getting it "wrong" we hold back, and in the process we betray our very values and intentions to want to support change and progress.  

What if, instead of dreading and fearing receiving feedback when something you say or do (or don't say, or don't do) has hurt someone, you could consider that an opportunity to continue learning and growing, and even strengthening that connection?  

I can't think of any other place where we expect to get everything right from our first try - not a career, a sport, a language, or even learning to crawl and walk.  We have to practice to even learn to hold our heads up at the beginning of life!  (And sometimes again along the way - check in with what position your head is in right now!)

And when it doesn't work out, we learn and try something different. 

Of course, you want to do the best you can each step of the way.   You can continue to honor your intentions to do the best you can with what you know at the time...

Then, after receiving feedback (from your internal experience or from someone courageously taking the chance to talk to you about the impact they felt), you can move forward and even more skillfully show up, speak up, and lift up others in support of social justice.

AND, if you could let go of any intrusive perfectionism - your expectations that feedback will be horrible and that you need to already know it all before you can take your next chance - you'd probably learn and grow much more quickly!!!

What do you think?

You matter.  You can make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here!