QUOTE OF THE DAY
The Fear of Getting It Wrong
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
— Elbert Hubbard
When I was learning to drive, I had an irrational fear of gas stations.
IDEA OF THE DAY
The “Gas Station” Fear We Don’t Talk About
The thought of filling up the tank filled me with dread.
What if I chose the wrong gas?
What if I didn’t know when to stop?
The panic felt so real that if the gas gauge dropped too low while I was borrowing the family car… I just wouldn’t go anywhere.
Staying home felt easier than facing the pump.
We All Have Our Version of This
A few years later, while studying abroad in Germany, I landed an interview for an internship—and completely botched it.
I used German slang I’d picked up from my mom growing up.
Turns out… not exactly professional.
Oops.
And when I first started my coaching business, I was so excited about helping people that I genuinely believed I could “fix” anything for anyone.
(Oh, Joyna… what were you thinking?)
What Actually Builds Confidence
The truth is:
I’ve made mistakes.
I’ve let fears grow bigger than they needed to be.
I’ve stumbled through more “firsts” than I can count.
And still…
Now I can fill up a gas tank without a second thought.
Hold my own in a German conversation.
And coach with both confidence and humility.
None of that came from waiting until I felt ready.
It came from showing up—again and again—despite the fear.
The Real Path to Growth
Progress isn’t polished.
It’s awkward.
Messy.
Full of “oops” moments that quietly shape who you’re becoming.
We tend to think confidence comes first—but more often, it’s the result of action.
Not perfect action.
Just… action.
An Invitation
If you’ve been hesitating to take a step forward in some area of your life, consider this:
You don’t need to avoid mistakes.
You just need to stay in motion.
Because the people who create meaningful lives aren’t the ones who get it right the first time—they’re the ones who keep showing up, imperfectly and courageously, again and again.
So go ahead.
Fill that metaphorical gas tank.
One day, it might just become a great story.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What’s a “gas station moment” in your own life—something small that feels disproportionately scary?
If You’re Ready to Move Through the Fear
This is the work we do together—learning how to take action even when confidence isn’t fully there yet.
You don’t have to wait until you feel ready.
You just have to be willing to begin.