4 Steps for Learning a New Skill

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I am learning so many things that are new to me! As an artist I have always identified as a right brain oriented person and technology was something I never dreamed I'd engage in the way I do now! In the process of doing this blog, I have been learning innumerable computer skills, and every time I push through something that is a challenge, I now navigate my way through that feeling of I can't, or I'm too stupid for that, whereas just a year or so ago I would have gotten frustrated or given up. Not that I don't ask for help anymore but somehow I'm now able to ask from a place of deep self-respect and desire to learn, not from a place of frustration!

  Here's a great TED TALK video from  Josh Kaufman- The First 20 Hours- How to Learn Anything.

 I love that he mentions that feeling stupid can be a barrier to learning since I so identify with that, and have learned that just because you feel stupid doesn't mean you are!

He discusses 4 steps to learning a new skill, connecting it to your goals and being successful at it!
  1. Break it apart or chunk it into doable segments.
  2. Learn enough to self-correct 
  3. Remove barriers to practice (Turn off the TV or other distractions)
  4. Practice for at least 20 hours.


Just for fun here are some pieces I pulled out of my portfolio:


 A portrait of a little girl I did many years ago.



A watercolor I did a few years back.

"Hummingbird Breakfast" pastel


An illustration I did for Spirit of Children logo.



Comments

  1. ElikaOctober 22, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    You are so talented Leona! Loved the TED talk too! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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