We are all students at one point in our lives or another. From learning an instrument, understanding Ohm’s Law, deriving equations, or learning to flip pancakes, we all start at level one. In any skill or craft, it takes time to learn anything, and we should not be discouraged when we do not see progress on day one.
One of my favorite fictional characters, Neville Longbottom (J.K. Rowling), saw discouragement when casting the Patronus Charm. Though faced with failed attempts, he still tried. Afterward, Harry Potter encouraged him and the others, reminding them that even the greatest witches and wizards once stood where they are now—as students!
My apologies if I bring too many fictional characters into this post, for it is one of the things that gives me a boost of encouragement in anything that I do. Even when faced with repeated failure, embarrassment, or rejection, I tell myself to get up and try again. Then combining that with learning from those failures, it helps to sharpen my focus to do better the next time. Even if it takes me one step at a time, it allows me to get better each time. Then like in Pokemon, I progress to the next level, eventually.
As Tim Duncan would say, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better, and your better is your best”. Mastering a topic takes time, and the only person that we should compare ourselves to is who we were yesterday.
To everyone reading this, know that I’m rooting for you! Wishing you the very best as you work toward becoming the best version of yourself, in all that you do. 🙂
Keto Carlito 