You're Never New to Anything: Stop Using This Excuse
Listen up—I'm exhausted by the excuse culture we've created around being "new" at something.
Every day I hear the same tired excuses: "Well, I'm new to sales," "I'm new to business," "This is my first time taking this class." And honestly? I'm sick of it.
Here's the truth that's going to change everything for you: You're never actually new to anything.
The Puzzle Piece Theory
Think about it this way. By the age of five, you've done everything you'll ever do in your life. You've cooked, cleaned, brushed your teeth, tied your shoes, communicated with people, solved problems, learned new skills. Everything.
Life isn't about learning completely new things—it's about putting together puzzle pieces you already have. Yes, maybe it's a different puzzle with a different image on the front, but you're using the same exact pieces you've always had.
When you tell yourself you're "new" at something, you're really just saying you haven't figured out which puzzle pieces to use yet. That's a skill problem, not a newness problem.
When Will You Stop Being "New"?
Here's the question that exposes this excuse for what it really is: When will you not be new anymore?
Is it two months in? A year? When you feel comfortable? And when exactly do you feel comfortable?
The answer reveals the real issue—you keep moving the goalposts. Every time your "I'm new" excuse expires, you find another version of it. "Well, this is the first time I've done it this way." "I've never worked with clients like this before."
Stop it.
The Real Damage of the "New" Excuse
When you accept mediocrity from yourself because you're "new," you're setting a dangerous precedent. The excuses you accept from yourself are the same excuses you'll accept from everyone else—your team, your clients, your business partners.
I learned this as a drill sergeant. The excuses you make for being tired and hungry are the same excuses you'll accept from an 18-year-old recruit who might cost someone their life in a foxhole. It matters.
A Real Example from My Team
One of my agents felt completely overwhelmed starting in finance. "All of this is so new to me," she said. "Investing, insurance, retirement planning—I don't know how to explain it all to clients."
So I asked her: "Have you ever talked to someone before?" "Yes." "Have you ever felt like you've impacted somebody?" "Yes." "Have you ever listened to someone and helped them?" "Yes."
"Then what's the difference? You're just putting different puzzle pieces together."
She went into her next client meeting and absolutely killed it. Same skills, different application.
The Seven Stages of New (That Will Change Your Life)
Here's what actually happens when you start something—and why understanding these stages will transform how you approach any challenge:
Stage 1: Beginner
You have little knowledge and skills in this specific area. You're learning and practicing simultaneously (never just learning—always both).
Stage 2: Breakthrough
You achieve small but meaningful success. Maybe your first $1,000, your first client, your first viral post. This only requires beginner-level skills.
Stage 3: The Wall
Here's where most people quit. What got you to breakthrough won't get you to mastery. Your beginner methods stop working. Nothing seems to be progressing.
Stage 4: Consolidation
The only way past the wall is looking internally at six key areas:
Yourself: What are your real intentions?
Performance: Have you actually done what's necessary?
Effectiveness: What are your real metrics and ratios?
Efficiency: How can you improve your processes?
Product/Service: Is what you're offering actually valuable?
Knowledge: Do you need advanced skills for your current market?
Stage 5: Mastery
You're confident, skilled, and should be teaching others. Your business is growing consistently.
Stage 6: Plateau
Your processes work and you're making money, but income isn't increasing. This isn't the wall—everything works, but you've maxed out this skill level.
Stage 7: Back to Beginner
The only way past plateau is learning a new skill. If you've mastered solo entrepreneurship, now learn team building. If you've mastered team building, now learn systems and leverage.
The Two Places Everyone Quits
Most people quit at the wall or the plateau, not realizing there's so much more ahead. The wall isn't the end—it's just telling you that you need to level up your skills. The plateau isn't failure—it's telling you that you need to add new skills to your repertoire.
Stop Accepting This Excuse
I've been in finance for years, built multiple businesses, created content across different platforms. I can't tell you when I stopped feeling "new" at any of these things because I never started with that mindset.
On day one of my first podcast, I didn't feel new. I felt like someone putting together puzzle pieces I already had—communication skills, passion for topics, experience with cameras and content creation.
Your Action Plan
Identify what stage you're at in each area of your life and business
If you're at the wall, work through those six consolidation steps
If you're plateaued, identify the next skill you need to learn
Stop using "I'm new" as an excuse for mediocrity
You have everything you need to succeed at the highest level right now. You're not new—you're just a beginner at arranging the pieces differently.
The excuses stop today. Your success starts now.
What stage are you at in your business or skill development? Schedule a call, let's figure out your next move together.
