Learning... With Determination and Paying It Forward

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When was the last time you tried learning something completely new? Not only new, but something in an area in which you have NEVER been even moderately good, much less talented or naturally inclined. Welcome to my world.

For the past month I have been fighting with my computer, photography lights that I'm supposed to arrange myself, an external microphone that requires my office space be completely padded in order to achieve optimal sound quality, and audio/visual editing equipment. I don't even know what I can say about that!!! To say I am out of my comfort zone is an understatement. Is this how Steven Spielberg got started?

My husband has asked, more than once, thank you, if I needed to take a pill to calm myself down.

He did not appreciate my four-lettered response.

But, you see, I was determined. And, as I often do these days, I reminded myself of research indicating that learning new things is great for the brain. (We won't discuss the impact of frustration overload on the same.)

But, yesterday, after skipping days of exercise classes and not even remembering to eat meals until late afternoon, singularly focused on achieving this ridiculous goal I had set for myself, success. Not success, they accepted my error-free class that will be taken online by we'll-soon-see how many students. But, success, in that I could tell I was really close to completing the task.

And it felt great.

Like the vast numbers of individuals who are asked to learn new tasks for their jobs, or students who are expected to synthesize and apply new knowledge, I, too, persevere.

I remind myself of the lessons I've learned over the years:

• New information isn't bad, it's just new information.
  
• It helps to take a deep breath and remember that keeping a positive attitude and believing that you can achieve your goals will actually help you get closer to reaching them.
  
• A good work ethic, determination, and desire to succeed trump natural smarts and innate talent any day of the week.

There are resources available when you find yourself in a difficult situation. Sometimes it's as easy as reaching out to technical support, and sometimes you are lucky enough to find a kind, caring person who offers you a smile, just a smile. And it means so very much.

So, as you go through your day today, and tomorrow, next week and beyond, be the person who offers someone else a smile. Say something kind to someone who doesn't look happy, or try pinpointing a few people with whom you interact on a regular basis and surprise them with a note that lets them know how they improve your day every single day; today, you get to be the angel who makes the difference in someone else's life.

It might start with learning a new skill, but it can blossom into something more wonderful. You can change the world, one person at a time.

And, by the way, as I was writing this blog, I received notification. Success! I finally did it right!

Dr. W

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