Trying New Things

It’s early in the year and many of us feel inspired to try something different in 2025 – whether it’s a hobby, career or passion project. 

It can be hard to start something new – it can feel intimidating. When we’re beginners, we stumble, make mistakes and cringe at our first attempts.   

And that’s what makes it hard. We judge our performance. 

Think of a toddler trying to walk. They pull themselves up, wobble and fall – over and over again. We don’t criticise their progress. We cheer them on and encourage them to try again – to keep going. 

Yet, when it comes to ourselves, we’re often our harshest critics. We judge our beginner skills so harshly that it becomes tempting to quit before we truly begin. 

Think about something you persevered with – a relationship, a sport, a creative pursuit or a career. What if you had judged yourself based on your first attempts? Would you have stuck with it?  

If I graded myself based on my early practice coaching sessions, I would have given up on a career I love. And I would have stayed off the golf course forever. 

Remember, where you start doesn’t determine where you will finish. Experts were once beginners too; they just persisted.    

So, as you step into something new this year, give yourself the freedom to be a little messy, a little awkward, and a little bad at first. Keep going – you might just surprise yourself with where you end up. 

The Myth of Hard Work Always Leading to Success 

This idea has deep roots in a time when survival depended on physical labour in fields, factories and offices. Over the years, this belief became widespread, leading us to equate long hours with achievement. 

But this mindset has resulted in burnout, stress and unfulfilled lives. 

• Entrepreneurs working 70+ hour weeks, sacrificing health and relationships. 

•  Employees staying late at the office, thinking it will guarantee promotions. 

• Students pulling all-nighters, believing it’s the only way to excel. 

Many of us are still caught in the trap of believing that hours on the job equate to more potential success. Instead, we often find that our business or careers plateau as we become more exhausted and our relationships suffer.

Prioritisation: A New Approach To Success

The answer is not more hard work. It’s learning how to achieve more in less time.  

Prioritise the tasks that move the needle in your business, job or study. Unlike working longer hours, prioritisation ensures that your energy is directed towards tasks that drive real progress, not just busy work that keeps you working longer. 

Start your day by listing the top three most important tasks you want to complete. The tasks that are crucial to you achieving your goals. Tackle these tasks FIRST every day so you’re always making progress on what matters most. 

By learning how to prioritise, you can create a path to sustainable success without needing to sacrifice your well-being. 

If you’d like more information on this, you can reach out to Tricia here.

Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:

• Station Upgrade On Track
• No Man’s Land No More
• Journey Through Ancient Egypt at Queensland Museum
• Organic Gardening in November
• Robert Kift: A Genial Sandgate Identity
• Skating into Christmas with a Cool Performance
• Ready to Run
• Discover The Magic Of the Night Sky
• Sub Branch Builds Sense of Belonging
• Join the Pack: Walk for Diabetes Assistance Dogs 
• O Christmas Tree!