I recently did a radio show about learning hard things so I thought I would jot down a few of the points I actually learned myself while doing the show. 

First of all, it’s hard to learn new things, right? And the older we get, the harder it gets! Why is that? One of the main reasons is we stop the pursuit of new things. After all, we’ve learned a lot in life and, sometimes, the thought of one more thing makes us think we’re the pinball machine at the old diner with the word TILT screaming at us! Right? Also, we know that learning new things doesn’t just come in the form of a new math skill or how to sew or how to cook a perfect shrimp scampi. Learning new things is also about adjusting to a new job or living life without a spouse or learning to do life with a disabled child. Learning really is a constant in our lives and, as we get older, our desire lessens for the reasons listed above and more, I’m sure.

So why write about it? Why challenge you and me to learn new things?  Here’s why. It’s like we used to tell our kids, “It’s good for us.” It’s really that simple. Recently in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, it was revealed that less demanding activities, such as listening to classical music or completing word puzzles, probably won’t bring noticeable benefits to an aging mind. “It seems it is not enough just to get out and do something—it is important to get out and do something that is unfamiliar and mentally challenging, and that provides broad stimulation mentally and socially,” says psychological scientist and lead researcher Denise Park of the University of Texas at Dallas. “When you are inside your comfort zone you may be outside of the enhancement zone.”

Do you see the words I bolded? Maybe read them again. I just did. It’s important to do unfamiliar things and things that challenge us mentally. Oh, so that’s the reason. Yep. And it’s a good one. After all, as the leaders of the next generations, we need to stay alert and aware of life around us so we can lead.  

So, here’s a few of my “learning observations” and hints. Hopefully, they will help you as you tackle something new in 2022. 

1. Yes, we are tired, but get in the game anyway. Let’s face it, we are just exhausted and don’t want to put another thing in our overtaxed brains. This is reality. Sometimes, we just can’t muster the energy it would take to learn how to do that thing that you feel is nagging at you to learn. When I decided to play tennis, I was 20 or more years older than anyone in my tennis class. Now, at 66, I’m well beyond the age of my tennis buddies, but I’ve learned that the best way to “get in the game” is to put your shoes on and go. Just diving right into something new is the first step, tired or not. And, the rewards are amazing. Your body and brain will both benefit from your decision to learn something new. 
2. No matter how old we get, comparisons stink! At our age, one would hope we’ve conquered the comparison game, but in reality, that stinking game seems to follow us around forever. Johnny and I recently decided to take ballroom dance lessons. Unfortunately, every dance studio has mirrors on every wall. Ugh! It was apparent that our dance moves, in no way, resembled those of the dance instructor’s and his wife’s.  Enter the comparison game. In my first tennis class, with all those young ladies, I was surrounded by fresh legs, sharp minds, and toned arms. I felt like I was back in middle school and all the high school cheerleaders just walked in the locker room and there I stood in my underwear, skinny and afraid. Cue the comparison game.  The comparison game, no matter how old you are, threatens to knock you off your game of learning something new.  But, learning new things isn’t about comparing yourself to anyone else, it’s about comparing yourself to yesterday’s you. Someone will always be better, stronger, younger, braver, smarter, or more athletic than us. But, that cannot stop us from learning something new. Here’s a hint. Consider one on one coaching or learning until you feel comfortable in a crowd. There is nothing wrong with that plan! And, with everything online today, that’s easy to do. Google it and learn it!
3. Frustration leads to learning. Learning something new can be, no, IS, frustrating.  Our hands and feet don’t move right. Our brain can’t seem to put the tasks in order. We can’t seem to see what the next step is. It’s all frustrating! But being frustrated should never be a reason for not doing something. First of all, frustration is a necessary part of the growing process. Without frustration, we might not have ever seen a lightbulb or running water or an airplane. Frustration is the key to success! “Really?” you say. I didn’t say frustration is fun; I just said it’s important to the process. What we have to realize is there is a frustration wall connected to everything you learn. Think back to math and how frustrating it was to learn how to divide, but once you practiced enough, the frustration wall got kicked down. And that is true about everything. Last year, I decided to learn to play the ukulele. I’m telling you I was horrible for about a month, then the wall slowly started to go down. I’m still not great, but I’m learning and it’s now comfortable to hold and strum a ukulele. That’s progress!  Here’s an important sentence to put in your brain, “It’s okay that I’m terrible. I’m just learning this_____.” I’ve said this so many times to my kids and grandkids, but I forget to apply it to me. When I do remember it, it always makes me feel better. That newest app I’m trying to figure out or that new dance move or that recipe I haven’t perfected—I will knock that wall down, if I work at it.. 
4. Just a little a day goes a long way. Last year on my ukulele journey, I decided I would just dedicate 15 minutes a day to learning this new task. Fifteen minutes isn’t long, but it’s something. Something is way better than nothing. My busy self would often try to talk me out of my 15 minutes, but I pushed through and told my busy self, “Wait a minute. I am learning how to play the ukulele right now.” It’s easy to let our “busy-ness” take control of our life and, yes, the things we are doing are good, but it’s also okay to put things on hold for a few minutes to challenge yourself to something new.  

My personal life journey includes challenging myself to new things every day. I was fortunate enough to see that modeled in my parents, even to this day. 

What new things have you learned recently? How you stepping outside of your comfort zone? 

Keep on ROCKING!