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(c) Copyright Kim Beardsmore
As a former human resources professional it intrigues me why some people are more 'successful' than others. By 'successful' we are referring to an innate ability of some people to set and achieve worthwhile challenges for themselves.
Here we are using word "challenge" and not goals. A challenge may be a goal, but not every goal is a challenge. Challenges stretch us beyond where we are and generally require us to embrace learning something new.
Very often it is learning process - or lack of understanding of learning process - that causes us to shrink from challenges. When we are children we learn readily. Unfortunately somewhere in our development some of us start to acquire negative thoughts and feelings about learning new things. For some, our experiences in school have not fostered a love of learning and confidence in our ability to learn. Consequently we enter adulthood not valuing or understanding these important attributes.
Do you find yourself shrinking back from challenging situations? Do you assess tasks as not possible, because you don't know enough? Be honest, many of us do. Have you started a home business and feel completely overwhelmed by your lack of confidence? Do you say to yourself, "It can work for others, but not for me". Or, "I am exception that proves rule!"
If this is you, then read on as we explain a process of adult learning. There are many models of adult learning and theory of such has been subject of many doctorates. These however, are not subject of this article. Here we are using a simple model that most people can relate to which can make a difference to their lives.
There are four stages of development when you are learning something new. Once you understand these stages of learning, you may be encouraged to place yourself in challenging situations and extend your capacity and capabilities through learning process. You may even learn to drop "I can't" from your vocabulary and develop an "I can" perspective of yourself!
Go on, you can't lose and you just might acquire confidence to make an outstanding success at your home business or other challenging venture!
Stage 1 - You Feel Foolish! When you first start out you feel like an idiot! You feel as though you are stupid. If you are learning to play golf, you most certainly would not think of yourself as a 'golfer' first time you pick up golf club. The fact of matter is, you are a golfer - simply a very inexperienced one!
This is stage where you feel like a fake, or a charlatan - because you have not mentally and emotionally bought into concept that you are a golfer. You may have made a verbal commitment, and taken some action (picked up club), but your heart and mind is still a long way behind. That's why you can't call yourself a golfer. If your heart and mind was in full alignment with your words and actions, then you could say, "I am a golfer and I have a bunch of stuff to learn before I get really good". If you are a newbie in home business arena, you may have decided to keep quiet about your new business until business proves itself! (Hmmm)
This is a dangerous stage because without a firm focus, you are likely to stop and give up. It is important to make a mental shift and imagine yourself having fully achieved what you set out to do. Imagine yourself playing golf, confidently hitting ball straight down fairway. In reality you may feel uncomfortable, and out of your depth; perhaps even anxious. This is simply early stages of learning and your emotions will change if you keep going with task you have undertaken. The more uncomfortable you feel about your new venture, harder you should work on your imagination of success.