Q:How do you deal with the discomfort of doing something you’ve never done before?

I turn discomfort into a challenge.

Break it down, build a prototype, and learn by testing instead of theorizing.

I’ve spent most of my career trying to figure out things that I've never done before, so the discomfort has kind of… morphed. At this point, it’s less fear and more of a familiar hum, maybe a high base-level anxiety I’ve just made friends with. It never fully goes away, but it stops being uncomfortable and starts being fuel.

That’s not discomfort to me. It’s what keeps me learning constantly, which is one of my life goals.

I usually postpone it as long as I can — let’s be honest. But once I have to face it, I block a few hours, dive in, and start figuring it out. It’s rarely as scary as it seemed. I just need space, no distractions, and permission to not get it right on the first try.

Treat it like an experiment. Get curious, get scrappy, and build small to learn fast.

I reward myself after doing something new or hard, like a little trophy. For example, I have a special collection of silver and pearl jewelry, with each piece marking a completed project.

I study the theory, make an action plan, try it out — and if something doesn’t work, I ask for help from someone who’s already done it.

Sit with the discomfort and let it be. Keep going, even when something feels uncomfortable.

If it needs to be done, I just do it. No second thoughts.