Have you ever felt that stomach-dropping, “I hope no one saw that” kind of embarrassment? Perhaps you were saying the wrong thing in a meeting, struggling with a new task, or attempting something entirely outside your comfort zone.
If you can’t think of the last time you felt that way, that might explain why progress has felt effortless. Growth, in reality, is messy, awkward, and embarrassing at first.
As a pilot, you know the first landing is rough. Even then, you didn’t quit and kept going. Business is no different.
With that in mind, let’s talk about why embarrassment is a positive sign and the practical ways to turn those awkward moments into real progress.
Key Takeaways
- Embarrassment Signals Growth: Feeling awkward or exposed shows you’re trying something new and pushing into uncharted territory. Beginner discomfort is a sign you’re learning.
- Avoiding Embarrassment Stalls Progress: Playing it safe may feel comfortable, but it prevents skill-building and slows long-term growth.
- Aviation Teaches Resilience: Pilots learn mastery through repeated mistakes, practice, and feedback. The same principle applies to business and personal growth.
- Actively Lean Into Discomfort: Take small bold actions, post, call, record, or launch even if imperfect. Embrace a beginner mindset, and celebrate small wins to build confidence.
Why Embarrassment Happens When You Grow
Trying something new almost always feels awkward at first. You stumble, make mistakes, and feel exposed. That is completely normal. To grow, you need to step into the unknown, and the unknown is, undoubtedly, uncomfortable.
This feeling of discomfort often keeps people stuck. They avoid trying new things because they don’t want others to see them fail. But that fear quietly prevents progress.
In fact, a survey found that 47% of people said they’d perform better if they didn’t have to worry about making mistakes. That’s now a huge barrier to learning and achieving more.
Don’t forget, embarrassment is part of that process. It signals that you are pushing into new territory, and that’s exactly where progress begins.
Beginner’s Embarrassment is a Positive Signal
If you’re feeling embarrassed, that’s a good sign because it shows you’re learning. When something feels awkward or uncomfortable, it means you’re pushing into territory you haven’t explored before.
The successful people all started somewhere messy. Your first LinkedIn post might feel cringy, or that first sales call might be awkward. All of these moments feel embarrassing, but they are proof that you’re moving forward.
As pilots, we know this feeling too well. Our first landing wasn’t perfect, nor was our first instrument approach. But these mistakes taught us something valuable.
Entrepreneurs face the same reality. Beginner embarrassment is the training ground for skill, confidence, and mastery. It shows that you’re willing to try, fail, and improve. That’s how meaningful growth starts.
The Hidden Cost of Avoiding Embarrassment
Avoiding embarrassment feels safe at first. You don’t make mistakes, you don’t look awkward, and you stay in your comfort zone. However, the safety comes at a cost. By hiding from moments that feel embarrassing, you also hide from growth.
When you refuse to try something new, you miss out on opportunities to learn, improve, and get ahead. Whenever you avoid the discomfort, progress slows. Months can pass, and nothing changes because you never stepped into the space that challenges you.
As Thomas Edison once said,
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Comfort rarely leads to real progress. In aviation, pilots who skip practice or avoid hard maneuvers never reach mastery.
The same principle applies in business: skill, confidence, and results only come from doing the things that feel hard or awkward at first.
What Can Aviation Teach Us About Embarrassment?
Remember your very first flight?
That initial pre-flight checklist probably took longer than it should have, or maybe you fumbled with switches. At that time, feeling embarrassed was natural.
However, you kept showing up. Each practice session, repetition, and every piece of feedback slowly built your skill. Mistakes became lessons rather than failures.
This mindset applies to business, too.
A first sales call, client pitch, or public post will feel messy, but these attempts provide valuable learning. Over time, these small failures create a foundation for confidence.
How to Lean Into Embarrassment
Feeling embarrassed means you’re getting out of your comfort zone and pushing boundaries. These messy moments are proof that you’re moving forward. Here’s how you can use embarrassment as a tool rather than a roadblock:
1. Take Small, Bold Steps
Start with actions that scare you just a little. Maybe send that first sales email, post your first LinkedIn update, or make the first call to a potential client. You can also use your aviation authority to fuel your brand. These small moves will help you build courage gradually.
The key here is consistency. The steps may feel awkward, but repetition reduces the fear and strengthens confidence.
2. Post, Call, Record, or Launch
Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Post that article, record that short video, or launch your first messy version of an offer.
Additionally, embrace the fact that early attempts will be imperfect. Each attempt teaches you something new, sharpens your skills, and builds momentum faster than waiting for everything to feel “ready.”
3. Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset
Accept that you don’t need to know everything from the start. Approaching new tasks with curiosity instead of judgment turns embarrassment into learning.
When you do that, your mistakes turn into lessons, and the awkward moments become stepping stones to mastery.
4. Celebrate Small Wins and Attempts
Recognize and reward yourself for taking action, even if it feels silly or imperfect. Remember that these little attempts are the wins that help you build confidence and become an expert at what you’re trying to achieve.
By keeping track of small wins, you create positive reinforcement. This makes it easier to keep leaning into discomfort over time.
Invitation to Join Our FREE Strategy Session
Most pilots are one honest conversation away from clarity. This is that conversation.
Complete our “Life After the Sky” checklist, then join me for a FREE 15-minute “Strategy Session” via Zoom.
This session has been created for pilots who want to take ownership of what comes next.
Those who want action, not just to talk about it.
In just 15 minutes, we’ll:
- Review your checklist results
- Identify the one obstacle holding back your reinvention
- Translate your checklist results into a clear starting point
Start your pre-flight assessment for the next chapter of your journey by Booking your free strategy session here!
