Westenberg Cringe Tolerance Is a Superpower
Jul 17, 2025
Explore the fascinating concept of 'cringe tolerance' as a crucial skill for creators. Discover how successful people embrace imperfection, making mistakes part of their journey. Historical examples reveal that even the greatest innovators started with rough drafts. Learn why the fear of failure can paralyze potential and how sharing flawed work leads to improvement. The conversation emphasizes that the embarrassment of early efforts is short-lived compared to the regret of never trying. It’s time to accept the awkward beginnings of creativity!
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Cringe Tolerance Defines Creators
- The main difference between creators and critics is the ability to handle embarrassment.
- Cringe tolerance is essential for putting imperfect work into the world and continuing despite judgment.
Famous Amateur Beginnings
- Early versions of Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter were embarrassingly amateur.
- Benjamin Franklin used a pseudonym because his initial writing was awkward, but persisted to improve.
Perfectionism Blocks Progress
- Perfection before launch is an illusion; professional quality requires iteration and feedback.
- Tolerating temporary embarrassment is necessary to achieve skill and competence.
