In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee addresses the common fear of starting something new and the crucial role of overcoming the initial discomfort associated with public attempts. Shulin Lee argues that the perceived cost of entry – embarrassment – is often the biggest hurdle preventing individuals from achieving their goals, particularly in content creation and professional development.
The post opens with a raw acknowledgment of early struggles, with Shulin Lee recounting their own experience of initial content flopping on the platform. “When I first started posting on LinkedIn, my content flopped. Barely any engagement. Crickets. Mega cringe. I’m sure people talked. But I kept going anyway,” Lee writes.
The High Cost of Waiting
Shulin Lee contrasts those who hesitate with those who act, highlighting a significant disparity in outcomes. According to Shulin Lee, professionals who wait until they feel “ready” often miss their window of opportunity entirely. This is contrasted with individuals who begin before they feel fully confident, leading to substantial follower growth, some reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions.
“The professionals who wait until they feel ‘ready’? Still waiting. The ones who start before they’re confident? 200k – 2 million followers now…..” Lee states, emphasizing the power of action over perfect preparation.
Overcoming the ‘Awkward Phase’
A core message from Shulin Lee is the necessity of pushing through the initial awkwardness. Lee suggests that learning from what doesn’t work and seeking guidance from those who have succeeded are vital steps. The willingness to “look stupid for a while” is presented not as a weakness, but as a prerequisite for eventual success.
Shulin Lee elaborates on this, writing:
“You’re no different from me. The only difference between where you are and where you want to be? The willingness to look stupid for a while. To post when no one’s clapping. To speak up when your voice shakes. To try again after the first attempt flopped.”
Protecting an Imaginary Image
A significant portion of Shulin Lee’s post is dedicated to dissecting why most people never start. Lee posits that it’s often due to protecting an image that hasn’t yet been earned. The fear of judgment and the desire to avoid public scrutiny lead to invisibility, which Shulin Lee argues is a far greater loss than the temporary discomfort of a failed attempt.
“Most people never start because they’re protecting an image that doesn’t even exist yet. They’d rather stay invisible than risk being seen and judged,” Shulin Lee observes.
The Path to Success Through Discomfort
Shulin Lee’s perspective is that true progress comes from becoming “comfortable being uncomfortable.” The idea of waiting for “the right moment” is dismissed in favor of embracing imperfection and iterative improvement. Lee suggests that initial attempts are likely to be poor, but consistent effort over time – perhaps dozens or even fifty attempts – leads to mastery.
“Your first attempt will probably be bad. Your second might be worse. But your twentieth? Your fiftieth? That’s when it clicks. And by then, no one remembers the messy start. They only see the success,” Lee explains.
The post concludes with a strong call to action: stop waiting, stop rehearsing in private, and stop letting ego limit potential. Shulin Lee urges readers to “Start before you’re ready. Fail in public. Learn faster than everyone still hiding.” The final thought emphasizes that while embarrassment is temporary, regret can be lasting.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on February 5, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →