Learning any new skill can be a frustrating experience.
I regularly hear students say things like:
“I’ll never be able to do this”
“I’m not good enough”
“It’s too hard!”
The truth is, if that’s your attitude you probably wont be able learn it, or at the very least it will take you a lot longer than necessary.
Most people view making mistakes or failure with negative emotions. It appears to be particularly common in martial arts.
Everyone expects to be able to perform a technique first time perfectly.
Unfortunately, this is simply not the case.
After all I bet you weren’t driving like Ayrton Senna after you first lesson.
Ironically, mistakes are a vital step in learning a new skill.
Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, famously said “I have not failed 10,000 times – I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”
Like Edison, you should view mistakes as stepping stones to mastery.
Understanding the process of learning can be of great help in maintaining the correct mindset and help you stay focused on developing the new skill.
The Conscious Competence Learning Model defines four psychological stages in the process of learning a new skill through to mastery.
Stage 1: Unconscious incompetence.
Basically, you don’t know that you don’t know how to do something.
To progress from this stage of learning you must recognise your own incompetence and accept the value of the new skill.
The length of time an you stay in this stage will depend on the strength of the stimulus and motivation to learn a new skill.
So if you have no plans on training you’ll probably remain unconsciously incompetent.
Stage 2: Conscious incompetence.
In this stage you know that you don’t know how to do something.
To escape this stage you’ll need to practice and refine a new skill,
Making mistakes at this stage are an integral part of the learning process, but with time and a little effort you can progress to stage 3.
Stage 3: Conscious Competence.
You know how to do something but it takes effort and.
In this stage you know how to do something and can perform the skill, but it requires concentration and effort.
A definite plan or process can be very useful at this stage to develop the skill.
Eventually, you will reach Stage 4
Stage 4: Unconscious Competence.
You know how to so something instinctively.
This is the final stage of learning a new skill and you reach it when your new skill has become second nature and you can perform it with ease.
Whether you’re learning martial arts or any new skill you should make unconscious competence your ultimate goal.
This is achievable for anyone through sustained practice and the correct tuition.
So next time you step on the mat or attempt to earn a new skill do not become frustrated by making mistakes, or failing at your first attempt.
Instead view it as a step on your way to mastery.
See you on the mats.
I regularly hear students say things like:
“I’ll never be able to do this”
“I’m not good enough”
“It’s too hard!”
The truth is, if that’s your attitude you probably wont be able learn it, or at the very least it will take you a lot longer than necessary.
Most people view making mistakes or failure with negative emotions. It appears to be particularly common in martial arts.
Everyone expects to be able to perform a technique first time perfectly.
Unfortunately, this is simply not the case.
After all I bet you weren’t driving like Ayrton Senna after you first lesson.
Ironically, mistakes are a vital step in learning a new skill.
Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, famously said “I have not failed 10,000 times – I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”
Like Edison, you should view mistakes as stepping stones to mastery.
Understanding the process of learning can be of great help in maintaining the correct mindset and help you stay focused on developing the new skill.
The Conscious Competence Learning Model defines four psychological stages in the process of learning a new skill through to mastery.
Stage 1: Unconscious incompetence.
Basically, you don’t know that you don’t know how to do something.
To progress from this stage of learning you must recognise your own incompetence and accept the value of the new skill.
The length of time an you stay in this stage will depend on the strength of the stimulus and motivation to learn a new skill.
So if you have no plans on training you’ll probably remain unconsciously incompetent.
Stage 2: Conscious incompetence.
In this stage you know that you don’t know how to do something.
To escape this stage you’ll need to practice and refine a new skill,
Making mistakes at this stage are an integral part of the learning process, but with time and a little effort you can progress to stage 3.
Stage 3: Conscious Competence.
You know how to do something but it takes effort and.
In this stage you know how to do something and can perform the skill, but it requires concentration and effort.
A definite plan or process can be very useful at this stage to develop the skill.
Eventually, you will reach Stage 4
Stage 4: Unconscious Competence.
You know how to so something instinctively.
This is the final stage of learning a new skill and you reach it when your new skill has become second nature and you can perform it with ease.
Whether you’re learning martial arts or any new skill you should make unconscious competence your ultimate goal.
This is achievable for anyone through sustained practice and the correct tuition.
So next time you step on the mat or attempt to earn a new skill do not become frustrated by making mistakes, or failing at your first attempt.
Instead view it as a step on your way to mastery.
See you on the mats.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts