Make Incremental Changes

Changing our lives comes down to two things: being okay with feeling uncomfortable and not running from constructive criticism.

If we are always concerned about what people think, it's difficult to pursue something that's worthwhile. Taking risks usually feels way scarier for you than for the people watching. That's why so many people stay in their comfort zone—it's easier to play it safe than to be judged.

But real change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, sometimes decades, and it's built on small steps we take every day.

Think about learning to ride a bike. At first, you need training wheels and maybe someone holding onto you. But little by little, you get better until you're riding on your own. The same thing happens when you start sharing your work online. The more you share, the more confident you get—not just in what you create, but in putting yourself out there.

Psychologist Albert Bandura proved that people can overcome fear by taking things one step at a time. He helped people who were afraid of snakes by first letting them watch someone else handle one from behind glass. Then, in a safe environment, they'd sit in the same room as a caged snake, slowly getting used to it.

Progress isn't about taking huge leaps—it's about showing up, little by little, until what once scared you feels normal.