by Jenn Kaye

 

Have you ever noticed when you don't know how to do something it feels really awkward and embarrassing? And we start having these really uncomfortable thoughts that maybe we shouldn't even try it, or we create really great excuses for why we're not available or can't do it?

A friend of mine recently invited me to make dolmades with her. She's Greek. For those of you who are not Greek and have no idea what I'm talking about, they're little rice and herb filled thingies wrapped in grape leaves. Kind of like the tamale of the Greek world.

I had NO idea what I was doing. She prepped the rice with the herbs and got everything out, and while I thought it was pretty neat to learn something new, I was feeling way out of my element. I didn't want to do it 'wrong', and I noticed myself feeling a little competitive because I wanted to make them as good as she did. (Forget the fact that while I've eaten them en masse over the years, I hadn't spent the last 20 years of my life making them.)

When she started showing me what to do, I thought that couldn't possibly be right. She was putting way too little rice in the grape leaves! Even though she kept telling me they would expand when they cooked and not to put too much in the pocket. Against my better judgment (the non-dolmas maker here) I did as she said. I learned how to wrap the leaves tightly, and she showed me how to trim the leaves if I had too much.

Here's my point. When it comes to building a future you love, there are going to inevitably be things you don't know how to do. In your life, at your job, in your relationships and almost always, in what you say in your communications. Here's the deal ... every step counts. Managing your internal expectations and emotions, counts. Acknowledging that contrary to popular belief, you indeed, may not know everything, counts. Releasing your self-judgments and being willing to become uncomfortable, counts. Trying something new, counts. It's not always about the end result. It's about counting each step along the way.

And when it counts, it needs to be acknowledged! Celebrate yourself a little more. When you stop the internal comparison gremlins that start saying, "You should know how to do this you know ... " do a little dance. Turn on some Tina Turner and get Rollin. Or pop a dolmades in your mouth and say, "Mmmm! I made this!"

Acknowledge yourself and remember that every step (no matter how small or big) counts!

Jenn Kaye is an author, speaker and mentor who empowers businesses, brands and lifestyles to communicate authentically and build better relationships. Connect with Jenn at www.Facebook.com/JennKaye and follow her on twitter @JennKaye