What is the best way to master a new skill?

Are you planning to learn something new or considering it? Maybe you think you are too old or believe it is already too late to learn a new skill. Perhaps you think learning is only for younger people. Usually, though, you do not want to learn anything new because you are comfortable where you are, doing what you have been doing for years. You don’t want to move even if you are bored.

The reason for not attempting to learn a new skill is the same for all of us: embarrassment and fear because learning anything new can only happen by making mistakes. We think mistakes are shameful. We avoid them by staying in our comfort zone. We like to believe that we are beyond making mistakes because we are good in a few things. Why rock that delusional boat? We are afraid to explore.

Moving out of this rut takes a certain courage because you will make numerous mistakes when you start learning something new. Errors and gaffes are an essential part of this process. Unfortunately, since mistakes are equated to failures, most people prefer to project themselves as perfect and  above making errors. This defense mechanism damages our ability to embrace new experiences, learn, and grow. A mistake simply means we do not get the results we expect. And we can get those results if we give ourselves the space and opportunity to make more mistakes and learn.

In a world obsessed with quick results, deep learning is not encouraged. It is not even considered. It is no wonder that there a majority don’t even attempt to explore deep learning. Too boring, too tedious. They tend to graze a little bit here, a little bit there, and in the end, they don’t know much about anything at all.

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” -Confucius

When we explore a new skill, we also explore new techniques to understand what works for us. We can only take baby steps, moving ahead slowly as we correct one tiny error after another. We crawl, try to walk, fall, and get up again. Much like a baby learning to walk. We challenge ourselves. We work on it day after day. We learn by doing, not just by listening to others who have done it earlier. Sometimes, it gets hard but we persevere anyway. There is no instant gratification, but we feel good making minor progress. Eventually, we get better at it. Along the way, we also learn that we are not perfect; we are error-prone beings; we have much to learn.

A key factor in learning a new skill is your commitment. Are you willing to put in daily practice? Do you want to learn this new skill because you choose to and not because someone told you to or because you are expected to?

When you start learning something that you have committed to, you make the time for it. You know trade-offs are involved if you need to practice more and fast forward your learning. You say ‘no’ to time wasters, limit other activities, and make time to practice. You gladly delegate. If you feel you are performing tasks that anyone can handle, you gladly get rid of them and move on to quench your thirst for learning a more advanced skill.

“The doer alone learneth.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

When you are focused on learning something new, you hardly compare yourself to anyone else. It becomes an exhilarating race against yourself. You willingly share your knowledge because you know sharing is the only way to become better. You learn patience because you do not become a master overnight.

Fast forward learning happens one step at a time. It happens by mastering every step slowly and steadily. It is never quick and superficial. True learning does not happen in one training session. There are no shortcuts. It requires daily effort, long hours, and discipline. Fast forward learning is consistent, thorough, and deep, helping you walk steadily ahead on the path toward excellence.

“The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.”

– Josh Waitzkin