We all know that learning new skills has a wealth of benefits. We gain confidence, it reduces stress, and it’s fun. So what’s stopping us?
We focus too much on the end goal and forget that the real joy of learning a skill is the journey.
As Seth Godin says, You don’t have to finish, but you do have to start.
We also fall prey to the idea that there’s no reason to start something if I can’t become great at it.
When I first wanted to learn how to paint, I spoke to an artist and said I’d love to start painting, but what paints do I use? What brushes and canvases do I buy? Or, should I start with a class?
He stopped me. He said just pick up any brush and paint a 100 of something. Then you can think about how to master the skill.
So I did, I started painting coffee cups, flowers, dogs. I wasn’t very good but I soon realized how relaxing it was to just paint. Painting made the world stop spinning and the waves in my brain become really calm. Time flew by with no other distractions. I knew that I wasn’t going to become the next Monet, but I soon realize what was on the canvas didn’t matter. The joy was in the effort.
I did the same learning guitar. I picked up the guitar and noodled around for 10 minutes a day. Soon I learn some open chords. The next thing you know I could play Sweet Jane. I never intended to become Eddie Van Halen and I realized that being a guitar player that can only play open chords is actually pretty fun.
Learn a new skill by setting the bar low and just starting.
I love Austin Kleon’s practice-suck-less-challenge. Pick a skill and just start today. Then put an X in box #1. Do the same the next day, and the next.
Want to start exercising more? Today, just get up in the morning and just put on your shoes. Do the same the next day.
Want to become a better writer? Today, pick up a pen and paper and write whatever comes to mind for 10 minutes. Do the same the next day.
Just start. Each day you’ll get better. And you’ll find that not mastering a skill still comes with all the same benefits.
Every Friday, I share lessons to my kids that can apply to everyone else.
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