Pushing Yourself to Learn New Skills Reveals Useful Guidance

Do you push yourself to learn new skills? 

I’m exploring new skills in writing and art. My writing exploration is in its third year. I write essays and short memoir pieces on three different platforms. I also journal. There is so much to learn and so many ideas to try. 

I recently added art to my exploration. I’ve always sketched. In college, I took a class. Life got busy. My sketching habit faded away. Now I’m reclaiming my interest in art by taking exploratory classes.

Learning a new skill can be overwhelming. I discovered that in my first class.

I’m adept at painting walls, but not canvas. I quickly discovered I lacked experience with blending color, painting fine lines, and choosing an appropriate model for a beginner (that would be step one).

Having read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, I knew how to approach my art exploration.

When learning a new skill, take what is immediately useful and go with it. You can reread or revisit later. A second visit may reveal more, or it may not. 

My second art class used a different medium, copper etching. My experience with the painting class guided me to take a better approach. I chose an appropriate model. (Step one!)

You gain guidance for the next endeavor with each push to learn a new skill.

A basic skill from the painting class, was immediately useful in copper etching. I went with it.