How to Beat Learning Curves

You know you're facing a learning curve when the very thought of pursuing it makes you breathe heavier. You're too dignified to confess your ignorance to other people, so you cite other excuses, like not having the time or the interest. Maybe you'll do it next year when things calm down.

But without scaling learning curves, you stay the exact same person next year that you are this year. And the next year. And the year after that. And before you know it, you're one of those people at the high school reunion who has nothing to show for the time away. You didn't become the best version of yourself.

Here's how you beat a learning curve:

1. You buy the staple books of that industry and read them.

1a. If you hate reading, you take a class or go to a workshop.

1b. If you didn't understand what you read, you read it again.

2. You put the books away and start practicing the craft. A lot.

3. You reach out to people ahead of you and ask good questions.

4. You go to the places of your industry, as awkward as it may be.

5. You find a mentor.

6. You start putting out the work, even if it's not perfect.

7. You keep putting out the work, each one better than the one before.

8. You wake up one day to find that you're standing on top of the curve.

9. And then you look for the next one.

Comments

[Jenny Svetec]

Thanks for the foot up!