To Learn a New Skill, You First Have to Screw It Up
Learning a new skill is a great way to gain a sense of accomplishment … after all. Before you can get anything done, you have to screw it up. Lot.
As the blog Impossible HQ points out, there is a simple model if you want to develop a new skill: failure first, success second. Or, in the words of comedian Bill Burr, “Fuck it, fix it later.” The first time you try something, you will always bomb. Here’s how you know you are on the road:
The only real secret to being able to come up with something new is wanting to go all out and screw something up and then fix it.
- Come on stage. Tell a few anecdotes. Bomb.
- Bake a pie. Screw it up. Throw it away.
- Disassemble the engine. Assemble again.
It’s simple, but it works … as long as you’re not afraid to look like an idiot.
It sounds like an idiot is also very important. Adults have a natural tendency not to look stupid because they’ve been around for so long. However, if you don’t want to look stupid in a certain area, you will never learn. Because, let’s face it, if you are learning something new, you are dumb in this one area in the first. This is part of the training.
Damn it, fix it later | Impossible headquarters