Permission to Play: Why It’s OK if Your AI Posts Feel a Bit Awkward

Let’s be honest, some AI content out there is a bit cringey.

We’ve all seen the glowing-eyed robot, the podcast that sounds like a tin can, or the post that reads like ChatGPT on autopilot.

And sure, it’s tempting to join the chorus:
“That looks like it was AI-generated.”
“That doesn’t sound human.”
“Doesn’t anyone write their own stuff anymore?”

But here’s the thing:
This is what learning looks like. And if we shame people for trying, we’re leaving the field wide open for the big players to run away with it.

We’ve Been Here Before

Once upon a time, spreadsheets were confusing.
You had to learn formulas, make peace with error messages, and figure out why nothing was aligning properly.

Eventually, you got faster. Then better. And one day, it became second nature.

AI is no different.

Right now, it’s new. Sometimes clunky. Occasionally brilliant. Often misunderstood.
But it won’t stay that way. Those who practise now will be the ones who shape how it evolves.

The Critics Are Loud — But They’re Not in the Game

Author and performance coach Jim Lawless once said that many so-called experts aren’t on the pitch — they’re in the grand stand, watching the race and offering critique from a safe distance.

They haven’t risked anything. They haven’t stretched themselves.
And to be fair, it’s easier to comment than to create — especially when the tools are unfamiliar and the spotlight can feel harsh.

But they’ll still be the first to tell you what looks clumsy, what’s “not quite right,” or why you’re doing it wrong.

Meanwhile, those on the field are learning in real time. Failing, refining, growing.

And yes, that might mean posting an AI-generated image that’s a bit generic.
Or experimenting with a podcast that's far from studio-polished.

But at least they’re learning.
At least they’re playing.

You can’t get better at something you’re not willing to try.

This Is Bigger Than Any One of Us

It’s about what kind of future we’re shaping — and who gets to shape it.

The big corporates are learning. Quietly, behind the scenes. With entire teams building tools, testing workflows, and gaining competitive advantage.

If purpose-led founders and small business owners hold back out of fear of judgement, we risk letting the same old players dominate a new wave of tech.

We’re not saying “jump on the hype train.”
We’re saying: don’t get left behind because you were waiting to feel ready.

What If We Made Learning Visible?

What if we stopped judging the imperfect and started applauding the effort?
What if we shared our clunky first attempts and invited others to build with us?

The tech community is full of generous, collaborative minds.
You don’t have to go it alone. In fact, you’re not meant to.

Your Next Step

Start small.

• Write a draft with AI and edit it together with a friend.
• Post a scrappy podcast episode.
• Share an imperfect AI image — and explain what you learned.

Pick one thing you’ve been curious about and give it a go.
It doesn’t need to be polished. It just needs to be yours.

Then tag someone who’s learning too.
Let’s make progress visible, and fun.
Because if we don’t, we’re letting fear make the rules.

And you?
You were made to build, not spectate.

A Final Word (from someone who’s learning too)

Yes, AI helped me draft this post.
And no, I’m not ashamed of that. I’m proud of it.

A close friend read some of my earlier stuff and couldn’t tell. That didn’t happen by chance- it happened because I’ve spent time learning how to use these tools thoughtfully, in a way that still sounds like me.

There are still others who are better at it than I am. But if I only ever did the things I believed I was the best in the world at… I’d probably only eat cake.

So here I am, trying.
And if you’re trying too, awkwardly, imperfectly, with a mix of curiosity and cringing, tag me and I’ll cheer you on.

Footnote
The line about experts on the pitch vs. in the grandstand comes from Jim Lawless, a performance coach whose book Taming Tigers has shaped how I approach fear, growth, and change. You can read more from him on his blog, DARE or check out Taming Tigers if you haven’t already.