Two Questions to Ask

I’ve found that there isn’t any skill a person can not learn. Your mind is such that you can learn anything you want. I’ve experienced this first hand with myself as well as guiding others to achieve a skill they’ve wanted. One of the basics to the start is getting the best perspective you can on the work ahead of you. This requires two really simple questions to have answered before you can begin.

The first one, “Do you want to be and do better?”

If that answer is I don’t know and you have some uncertainty I believe you have to stop yourself short right there. You need to really decide if it’s worth it. If you don’t want to do better or be better, than what the heck are you even getting into it for? Even if it’s a peer or boss telling you to do it, kindly find a way to decline the idea of it. If it is not aligned with the work you want to do or be better in, you might need to reconsider doing it.

The second one, “Are you ready to get really uncomfortable? Are you ready to feel what it’s like being out of your comfort zone and being in the ambiguity of the unknown? Even potentially being okay with it not all working out when you get to the end?”

Regardless of the skill or the “who” you hope to become, it’s going to put you in front of embarrassment potentially while you learn to “walk” again. You’re going to be misunderstood by others who have mastery of the skill you are trying to copy. You have to be ready for that. Your peers/friends might even potentially feel like you’re peacocking and trying to impress others in your circles to leap frog their work. Then there is always the chance you will never fully master what you’re going after. You might just be able to get to “good enough” or “alright at it” when you reach the end. Are you prepared to deal with the feelings that may come like giving up or not good enough may bring?

So how do you get started before you get started? Some things I’ve read and somethings I’ve learned might help.

• Talk to some masters ahead of time before jumping in. Pick out whose really good in your social circles at what you’re trying to master or learn for the first time. Ask for feedback and listen to the feedback. This will be highly valuable to know potential struggles before it’s a struggle for you.
• Start by getting in the cold bath as soon as you can. The only way to get comfortable with the uncomfortable is to get in. The sooner you get uncomfortable, the sooner you will get comfortable. Find somewhere where you can shadow the work for a little bit to dip that toe in the water.
• Think backwards and think through some of your own history with learning something new. You’ve had that in your life before if you look deep enough. Remember the embarrassment you felt when things kind of went off the rails. Think about how you navigated those uncomfortable feelings the last time you tried to learn something new. You can learn a lot from your own past, just don’t get caught up in it.

Trying something new is definitely uncomfortable and scary as all crap. Doing a little prep work beforehand is smart, can help you be ready for what’s to come, and even validate your internal desires to do it in the first place. A great perspective is a great best practice before starting anything that involves uncertainty.

Have a great start to your week! Thanks for viewing.

✌ Shawn