How To Learn Something New

The older we get, it becomes more intimidating to learn something new. Whether it’s a skill, a craft, a computer program or simply a new game, we shirk from learning new things because it seems like a challenge we may not want to take on. However, if you break it down for yourself into bite-sized steps, learning something new can not only be easy, but also be a pleasure.

Where Do I Start?

Approach any topic you aren’t sure about systematically. First, you need to do research on the topic before you plunge headfirst into something new. If you want to learn about fixing cars, head to the library and check out a book about cars and Mustang parts. 

Another good way to bone-up on something new is to ask around and find someone that’s really good at that particular skill. Get some firsthand knowledge. Even better, find a class that you can join so you don’t have to get all the information on your own.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you feel like you’re kind of getting the hang of your new skill, put it into practice. Grab some classic Mustang parts and head to the garage to put your dream car into reality. Or, get all the ingredients you need to make your first fondant birthday cake. If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t give up! This is a mistake many people make when they are trying to learn something new.

Success will not happen overnight. You have to keep practicing until you get the hang of it. If necessary, call in reinforcements to help motivate you and cheer you on while you run that last mile. Sometimes learning is easier with two people instead of just one.

Showcase Your Skills

Now that you’ve been practicing for a while, let others see what you’ve been learning. Try out your new cake at a dinner party or zoom over to your best friend’s in your restored Mustang. Show up at the advanced yoga class instead of beginners, and knit your mom a scarf with your new knitting needles. Even if the results of your first endeavors aren’t perfect, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment from showing off a new skill.

Offer your services for free until you get better at your skills. Then if you get really great, you can charge for your Photoshopped images or iron-on T-shirts! You may not only end up learning a new skill, but also actually excel at it! If you don’t, then that’s okay too. At least you had the guts to try something new, and having another skill under your belt never hurts.