You’re not good enough. You’re too slow

Imagine this: someone you know decides to start running. They’re out there on the street in mismatched workout gear, shuffling along at a pace that might seem slower than walking. Maybe you see them post about it online—“Day 1 of my running journey!”—along with a red-faced selfie. It’s easy to smirk or make a snide comment, isn’t it? After all, they’re not exactly sprinting toward the Olympics. But here’s the thing: that person is showing up. They’re making progress. And making fun of them for that? Honestly, it’s just a terrible move.

It’s so tempting to judge people when they’re at the very beginning of something. Why? Because beginnings are messy. They’re awkward. They look different from the polished results we’re used to seeing. But everyone has to start somewhere. The person who’s running their first mile today might be crossing the finish line of a marathon in a few years. The coworker who stumbles through their first presentation could end up leading the department. The friend who struggles to cook a simple pasta dish might someday host a dinner party where people rave about their food. Progress is rarely glamorous in the moment, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy of respect.

We all have this internal critic, don’t we? That little voice that whispers, “You’re not good enough. You’re too slow. People are laughing at you.” Imagine how hard it is for someone to push past that voice and just start. When they do, they’re already overcoming a massive hurdle. Mocking them, even in jest, only adds to the weight they’re carrying. And let’s be real—none of us are perfect, especially when we’re trying something new. Think about a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. Maybe it was the first time you spoke in front of a group, tried to learn a new skill, or started a fitness journey. Would it have helped if someone had laughed at you? Probably not.

When you see someone making progress, no matter how small or slow, you’re witnessing something incredible: growth. Growth isn’t about being perfect right away; it’s about showing up consistently, even when it’s hard. It’s about taking small steps forward, even if those steps feel insignificant at the time. Every big achievement starts with a tiny, shaky first step. By mocking someone’s early efforts, you’re essentially saying their journey isn’t worth it. And that’s just wrong.

Here’s the thing: everyone is on a different path. What seems small to you might be monumental for someone else. That person running down the block might have spent years believing they couldn’t exercise. The coworker struggling through a presentation might be overcoming a fear of public speaking they’ve had since childhood. You don’t know the backstory. You don’t know the struggles, the doubts, or the courage it took for them to show up that day. Progress isn’t a competition. It’s personal, and it’s worth celebrating at every stage.

Let’s talk about what happens when you choose kindness instead of criticism. When you encourage someone, you’re giving them fuel to keep going. A simple “Good for you!” or “You’ve got this!” can mean the world to someone who’s doubting themselves. Think about how much easier your own challenges would feel if you had people cheering you on instead of tearing you down. We all thrive on support. It’s human nature. So why not be the person who lifts others up instead of pulling them down?

On the flip side, making fun of someone’s progress says more about you than it does about them. If you feel the need to belittle someone else’s efforts, it might be worth asking yourself why. Are you projecting your own insecurities? Are you feeling stuck in your own journey and lashing out at someone who’s moving forward? It’s not always easy to admit, but sometimes the way we treat others is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Choosing to uplift someone else can actually be a way of uplifting yourself. It’s a reminder that progress, in any form, is worth celebrating—for them and for you.

And here’s the coolest part: supporting someone else’s growth doesn’t take anything away from you. In fact, it adds something. It creates connection. It builds trust. It fosters a sense of community where everyone feels safe to try, fail, and try again. When you cheer someone on, you’re contributing to a culture where progress is valued, no matter the pace. That’s the kind of world we all want to live in, isn’t it?

So the next time you see someone taking those wobbly first steps, resist the urge to judge. Instead, remember how it feels to be vulnerable, to try something new, to take a risk. Remember how good it feels when someone cheers you on. And then be that person for someone else. Life is hard enough without tearing each other down. Let’s choose kindness. Let’s choose encouragement. Let’s choose to see the beauty in progress, no matter how slow or messy it might look. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about where someone starts. It’s about where they’re going. And making fun of someone for trying? Well, that’s just not the kind of energy the world needs. So let’s do better—together.