Yesterday, I had a one-to-one Spanish lesson with a friend to practice speaking Spanish. Until now, I have been learning Spanish on Duolingo, speaking to my computer and watching random dramas on Netflix based in Colombia, Mexico and Spain.
There was a lot of fear about not knowing what to say, getting my grammar mixed up, and, quite frankly, embarrassing myself in front of my friend and feeling silly. When the session started, I only wanted to speak in English. But my friend gently said no, I want you to talk in Spanish. She was right to do so because how will I speak Spanish if I don’t speak in Spanish?
This applies to you if you want to have your own business. If you want to be a coach, you have to coach. If you want to be a DJ, you must be a DJ. It is as simple as that. You cannot do so by just reading about it or watching others do it. YOU have to do it! Yes, that requires you to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. So, despite how tough it may seem, being vulnerable plays a crucial role in the journey of entrepreneurship or speaking a foreign language.
Starting and running a business often requires us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace vulnerability, just like in the Spanish lesson I mentioned above. As challenging as it may seem, vulnerability plays a crucial role in our journeys.
It’s through vulnerability that we truly learn and progress. Just as I eventually embraced speaking Spanish despite my initial discomfort, as a new entrepreneur, you must be willing to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them to succeed.
All in all, the session went well. My head was banging at the end of it, but I learnt a lot. I did quite well. I understood a lot of what was being asked and managed to reply and be understood. I identified areas needing more work – explicitly using the correct articles like “el” and “la”.
As you can see, vulnerability is not a weakness but rather a strength. By acknowledging our limitations and insecurities, we open ourselves up to growth and learning. Just as I initially wanted to stick to speaking English out of fear of making mistakes, you may resist taking specific actions or seeking help due to fear of failure or judgment.
But vulnerability enables adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. Instead of letting setbacks discourage us, we can learn from the experiences, pivot when necessary, and continue moving towards our goals.
In essence, vulnerability is not only a necessary ingredient for success in starting and running a business or learning a language but also a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By embracing vulnerability, we can overcome fears, connect with others authentically, and ultimately thrive.
Also read: Believe in Yourself: 5 Ways to Build Your Confidence and Successfully Start a Business
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