Have you ever wanted to learn programming but got confused as to which language to start with? Or you wanted to start a new web page but could not decide on the service to opt for (e.g. WordPress, Square etc.).
In the face of options, we tend to have decision-paralysis and sidetracked from our main aim of learning something new (like programming, creating a website etc.). In its place, the unnecessary stuff (like which programming language is the best, which website hosting service has the most features and so on) takes center-stage
Result: We end up getting delayed starting off with our original intent (or at times, never get started at all)
To counter this:
Step 1: Get started
Want to start learning programming? Choose a language “within a deadline” and start programming. The goal here is to START LEARNING programming, not to compare the technical features of the languages.
Want to start a website? Pick a service provider “within a deadline” and host your website. Goal is to START a website, not to nitpick on its technical features.
Want to learn something else? Choose an available option “within a deadline” and get started.
Here, setting a deadline for choosing an option can help in averting any delays that may arise out of decision paralysis. And once you choose an option “within a deadline” and start learning, we come to the next step which is…
Step 2: Don’t look back
This is particularly important to ensure you are progressing forward with your original goal.
Looking back, esp. during the initial stages of learning, can cause anxiety and doubts regarding your choice of option, re-focus your priorities on the trivialities over your original goal and, with due time, can lead to abandoning the process of learning at all.
So it is important to focus on the goal of learning a new something and taking action to progress forward instead of looking back to reflect on your choice of option.
Step 3: Discipline and consistency
Once you are on the learning path, it is important to ensure you’re allotting time for your learning in a consistent manner.
Also important is to be disciplined with the allotted learning slots because without discipline and consistency, you won’t be able to finish what you started.
Step 4: Celebrate completion
Once you complete a task, CELEBRATE. It is important to reward yourself for all your dedication and hard work. Celebrating completion helps you associate your consistent efforts with prospects of reward which can prove to be a powerful motivating incentive to take up further learning opportunities.
Hoping this would help the inner student in you thrive lifelong, signing off for the day.
See you tomorrow !!!
Klikomo 