Even though we tend to capture everything with audio and video, people rarely press “record” in the earliest, least-proficient moments.

Learning the first chord on a guitar. The first attempt at a poem. The first time a foot is placed on a skateboard.

All these things happen privately.

It’s good to keep this in mind when we first begin and we look to books or the internet to understand what exits in the world. For the most part, what we see is what people want us to see. Usually, it’s the good stuff.

The messy, clumsy beginnings are hidden — and that’s a good thing. But it’s easy to forget when we’re the clumsy beginners and all we see are those with more experience.

If you’re starting something new, stick with it; it gets better.