Miscellaneous

Practice

Practice

Learning new things has always been a challenge for me especially when it comes to physical skills.  Dancing, playing guitar, martial arts, none of it has come easy.  I envy people that learn new things quickly because I am not one of them.

When I was first learning salsa about eleven years ago I almost quit many times out of sheer frustration from not being able to learn even the simplest moves.  At one point I was dancing five days a week.  I was taking at least two lessons, helping with one or more beginner classes and going to two dances.  I got better. 

I know the truth that there is nothing special about me regarding my dancing ability.  I just worked at it harder and longer than most people. 

There is no silver bullet when it comes to dancing, just a lot of time and effort.  I have never seen anyone in Salsa that did not get better as long as they stuck to it.  It does not even take rhythm. Anyone can learn.  Be kind to yourself and give it time.  If you do not quit you will get there in time.

Like most things in life the more you put in the more you get out.  I have to remind myself about that all the time learning JT Swing choreography and West Coast Swing.  With enough time and effort I will get better.  Hopefully my patience will not run out.

I have to constantly remind myself how much I struggled to learn salsa and how good I became eventually.  It has been a big adjustment from being an advanced dancer in the Latin dancing community to a beginner-beginner in WCS.  There is nothing like going from the top to the bottom and having to eat a little humble pie.

I was never a believer in private lessons before, now I swear by them.

It is that way with playing guitar as well.  When I practice a lot I get pretty good.  When I do not practice, it is not pretty.  Two of my favorite guitar players, Loren Barrigar and Tommy Emmanuel practice every single day even when they are not performing.   They are pros because they practice.  I often lament that my desire to practice to very spotty. 

I would like to get better at climbing when on a bike.  The old saying is if you want to get better at climbing you have to climb.  Another one is the three things to become a better rider, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike.

If there is something you would like to get better at start today by making a plan and sticking to it.  Practice is the answer. What would you like to be good at?  Please feel free to let me know by leaving a comment.