I am learning to play the guitar. It is a slow but fun process. I am still early enough in my practice that all I get to do is play some cords and learn muscle memory for the cords. I know that one day I will get to play a song. What I want to play is more blues and jazz guitar. That seems so technical, and far off, I wonder as I strum a G cord if I will get there.
My own thought process reminded me of working with several people over the past few weeks with their photography. Over the course of some one-on-one session, I repeatedly heard about how things are just too technical. As I related that thought back to my guitar lessons, it got me thinking about what does that really mean? Most of the photographers I know are all technical on some level. As I processed my own feelings, I realized that it comes down to a couple of key areas.
- Is it important for me to know this? Is what I am learning important to me or not. If it is not important, then I should just let it go, but if it is important, then I should accept that it might be hard to learn but needed.
- Is it necessary? Do I actually need to know this or not? If not, I should walk away. But, if I do really need to know this then I should keep that as my focus and motivation.
- How do I learn? It might be that you are learning the hard way. If you learn by reading. Then you should learn from a book, not a lecture. If you learn by listening, you should avoid a book. Try and find the best way to learn based on your own learning style.
- Baby steps. Remember that it takes a lot of steps to run a race. Each step is just as important as the next or prior step.
- Fear. Don’t let fear be the reason you avoid learning something. As adults, we often fear looking stupid. If you are working with someone who makes you feel that way, you should seek out other support. Having a supportive learning environment will do wonders for your work habits.
- Celebrate. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back even for the small stuff. Every success is amazing.
Gear used in podcast
All three Rode components as kit
Adobe Audition (part of create cloud subscription)