Brave Beginnings: Learning and Acting on New Skills

I have always considered myself a lifelong learner. I didn't really have a choice, to be honest. I was a teacher and it was expected of us. But, to be fair, I have also always been one to listen to podcasts, read self improvement books, and attend retreats and conferences. I think it is safe to say that I learn something new everyday. Needless to say I am a bit of a knowledge hoarder. My brain is ridiculously overstuffed with information that Rarely gets put to use.

Can I call it learning then, if I never apply it? How do I even know if I have truly mastered something? Just because I can recall snippets of it doesn't qualify true learning. I came to realize all of this recently when I realized I needed to acquire social media skills to promote my coaching business. I have Facebook down pat but I know very little about utilizing Instagram. So, I took an online course on how to use IG. I took a million notes as I watched then I went to apply my new skills and felt like I was in a new country without the language to survive. I felt so inadequate and disappointed in myself. How hard could it be? I could read and follow directions. After fumbling and failing, I reached out to both of my twenty something year old children. They both sent me step by step directions with screen shots and video clips. I viewed them over and over and took baby steps to create a reel, save it to my story and highlight it on my Instagram account. It is less than professional, but I did it! I really wanted to give up and make excuses for myself as to why I didn't need to use Instagram but I didn't. I persevered.

Learning and applying what you learn is an act of vulnerability. As adults we like to be good at things so much so that we avoid doing things that feel uncomfortable for the fear of looking and feeling incompetent. But if we can move our limiting beliefs about our abilities, there is so much on the other side of learning something new: It boosts our self esteem; it is invigorating; it keeps our brain from getting stagnant; it opens up new opportunities for us; its sets our courage in motion for other things life throws at us. It keeps us ALIVE!