"Something worth doing, is worth doing badly at first"

Toddlers probably learn more in one week than a fully grown adult in one year.

Why is that? Do our brains suddenly start to deteriorate at 5 years old? No, of course not.

What actually changes is that as we get older the world relates to us differently and we have misconceptions about how we can (safely) relate to the world.

For example, take the example of when a toddler demands to feed themselves for the first time. (Parents will know that this time is likely to be with the messiest food, when you are in a hurry and/or you have friends over watching!)

• Does the toddler worry about trying something new and perhaps looking stupid in trying?
• Does the toddler give up if after a few goes and decide she will just never be good at eating?
• Does the mother stand back and just watch the toddler, or does the mother help guide the spoon, provide encouraging words, clean up the mess when necessary, and help the child try and try again?

Imagine you have just started at a new job. Wouldn't you like a manager and environment that is similar to that of the toddler? Where you are expected to take some risks and try new things, and in the process, not be good at something in the short term? Where it is safe to make mistakes? Where you have 'on the job' support and feedback provided as you go, so that you gradually get better at what you need to do?

So the reality of most adult life is that we do not learn new things quickly because:

• We are too scared to look stupid during the process of the learning
  
• We don't like to admit that we don't know something, so we don't ask for advice from others.
• We do not ask for feedback on how we are doing, in case people will criticise us harshly.

So what can we take away from this?

Look at yourself closely... what elements of your behaviour or what areas of your life have you lost your ability to learn with childlike ease?

Examples could include your work, your relationships, your approach to health or finances management. Or behavioural examples may include your ability to control your anger, to get along with others, to deal with change & uncertainty...

If there are areas in your life that are holding you back, that are working against you and not for you, there is a wonderful opportunity to learn like a child.

• Give yourself permission to fail
• Ask experts for advice - constantly
• Ask for feedback from others on how you are going

Have a good weekend everyone

Jane