How To Improve At a Skill
A valuable skill is undoubtedly a great asset. It can be your brigde to a promotion, running your next business or just having a relaxing hobby.
Unfortunately if you are like me, the process of improving at a skill can be a treacherous pursuit that most have eventually settled for being average or completely given up. This stems from the fact that improving at something that is especailly out of ones comfort zone feels well, uncomforatable and even unnatural. Sometimes it feels like you are not making progress, other times it's just plain hard to “master” a new skill. It’s discouraging I know.
Definately been true for me for a number of skills I have picked up over the years whether is playing a piano or chairing a meeting at work. The challenges are real.
Here are 5 tips I use to help me level up on skills I need to improve at.
1. Showing up everyday.
There something about putting in the reps at something. Your muscle memory is built and it eventually begins to become normal to do. This means that showing up to practise the skill, study or any other activities surrounding improvement of a skill should be done frequently.
The challenge we often face is showing up and thinking no progress for that day.
You might not see it right there and then but progress is being made.
2. Quickly learn from your mistakes
If you are learning something new, it is invitable that you will not be good at it therefore you will make mistakes. These are learning points for potential growth. Quickly reflect on your experiences, correct them and move on.
There is no use having extented phases of being disappointed that you can’t figure out this “simple thing.” Every time you fall or fail get up, dust yourself, figure out what went wrong, pick up the bike and try again.
This also transposes to learning from what you are doing correctly. When you are doing something correct double down on it, absorb what works and repeat.
3. Learn from the mistakes of others.
9 times out of 10 you are not doing something that has completely never been done before. You Do not have to reinvent the wheel every time.
Climb on the shoulders of others that have gone throught the same or similar path. The best is to quickly get someone who can mentor you on your path to mastering the skill you seek. They will probably see ahead of you, help a shorter path and help you avoid pot holes along the journey. Dive deep into learning from others read books, listen to relevant podcasts, youtube videos and so on.
4. Focus on input goals over output goals
Mistake we make is trying to focus on just the end goal which we don’t have direct control over. So for a musicain that just picked up the piano that could mean just being fixated on trying to play perfectly play Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca.
Identify the input goals that will build up to the “end” result. Once you identify them ruthlessly focus on showing up daily to practice and execute them.
The bigger picture is often small building blocks brought together.
5. Keep showing up and make it fun.
Keep showing up, with time the results will show. Improvement or mastery if you like, will be inevitable. Play for the long run.
Rinse and Repeat.
Following these steps has helped me in a number of skills I have pursued; they can help you too.
If you made it to the end of the article thank you. If you have any tips for tricks you use to get better at something please share them in the comments section, you may never know who you might help.