Do you agree that learning something new can be both exhilarating and exhausting? Once the excitement of NEW wears off, sometimes we tend to just feel more STUCK...especially if this fun-new-thing is actually harder than we thought it would be...do you agree?!
This happened when I started learning calligraphy for the first time and again when I started learning how to use the Procreate app for lettering! (...let's be real, it's happened pretty much every time I've tried to learn something new! I know I can't be the only one!)
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A few summers ago, I went to a week-long teaching workshop.
On day 1 the presenter showed a TED Talk called How to Get Better at The Things You Care About by Eduardo Briceno that opened my mind to some new ideas.
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If you want the short version, this is it:
- THE PERFORMANCE ZONE - In this zone you're applying your knowledge and/or performing. The stakes are higher because you are the expert/performer/authority figure in the matter.
- THE LEARNING ZONE - This is where you reflect, practice, and expect mistakes to happen. In this zone, the stakes are low.
Sometimes when we're learning something new, we are so focused on trying to perform, we leave no room to actually make mistakes. This may just be the reason we keep getting stuck.
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Eduardo Briceno lays out 4 things that can help you get unstuck when you're learning something new:
1. Have a Growth Mindset
2. Have a Purpose
3. Deliberate Practice
4. Low-Stakes Situations
"A tightrope walker doesn't practice new tricks without a net underneath, and an athlete wouldn't set out to first try a new move in the championship." -Eduardo Briceno
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Whatever you're next new thing is... remember to allow yourself time to practice in a low-stakes environment.
If you want to full version, I encourage you to watch this amazing TedTalk...it can be viewed HERE !
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PS:
If Procreate is that NEW thing you want to learn, remember to be patient with yourself and enjoy the process. You don't have to have it all figured out right away. Grab this Cheat Sheet to help you get started, or grab my Procreate 101 eBook if you're ready to jump in! (These will help with the deliberate practice step!!:)
I'm currently working on a Procreate Course for you, too! Stay tuned!
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Regardless of what you're learning, I hope this helps you get unstuck! And I'd love to know... what are you learning right now?
Cheers!
xo, meg
