FFT & Brene Brown

“...FFTs (effing first times): how hard it is to be new at things – from small things to global pandemics. When we have no relevant experience or expertise, the vulnerability, uncertainty, and fear of these firsts can be overwhelming. Yet, showing up and pushing ourselves past the awkward, learner stage is how we get braver.”

— Brene Brown

The other day, I came across an interview by Jimmy Fallon with Brene Brown. In it, she discussed this concept of FFTs (effing first times) and how as adults we often shy away from trying new things because we don’t want to experience the embarrassment of making mistakes, looking incompetent, etc, etc, etc. And I felt that. All the way to my bones. I can name ten things I’ve put off because it’s an FFT. And I can name ten things that were FFTs - that I somehow overcame my fear and accomplished and the reward of putting myself out there - being a learner - and coming through on the other side have been incredible experiences. Have all my FFTs paid off? NO. Learning isn’t always rewarding in the way we want it to be. Sometimes learning is figuring out that we don’t want that particular thing to happen again.

I like having a name for this fear of uncertainty - this fear of new things. I can call it out like this: “hey - figuring out how to implement Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) is an FFT for me. I’ve sorta kinda tried it in the past - didn’t really know what I was doing, but I can research more, talk with SLPs who feel proficient in it, and keep trying it with patients until I get over MIT as an FFT in my practice.”

I feel like having a name for something is powerful. It gives us ownership over it. It gives us the ability to describe it, relate it to other things, and share it.

So this is my little share with you. If you find it helpful to recognize the FFTs in your life, here are some resources to learn more about Brene Brown’s concept:

Brene’s blog post on FFTs: “Collective Vulnerability, the FFTs of Online Learning, and the Sacredness of Bored Kids”
Brene has a podcast! You can listen to her talk about FFTs and loads of other amazing things (I think Brene and her research is pretty awesome).
The interview with Jimmy Fallon on YouTube that introduced me to this concept.

New to Brene Brown? Check out these great intros to her work:

TEDxHouston talk “The Power of Vulnerability” Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
Netflix Special: A Call to Courage (link is to the trailer/preview).

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The Speech Uncensored Podcast is your one-stop shop to dig deeper into the world of medical Speech and Language Pathology. Each episode features a conversational style interview on a topic relevant to the medical SLP scope of practice.

Guests are SLPs in the trenches, professors, researchers, inventors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, doctors…. professionals with insight and tools that we can use to work smarter and generate better outcomes for our patients. Show notes are posted weekly and are filled with tools for you to dig deeper into the topic. Every episode produced with SpeechTherapyPD.com is worth .1 ASHA CEU when you complete the podcourse.

Leigh Ann Porter, a practicing medical SLP, hosts the Speech Uncensored Podcast and produces educational content to share with colleagues, patients, and caregivers.