#005: Give Yourself Time To Learn Something New

If you've tried to build a habit or a skill, you’ve probably failed. But try again; you must. And fail again; you must. It's a natural part of the learning process. So when is it the right time to give up? I honestly don't know.

My two-and-a-half-year-old nephew had some trouble learning to talk when he was younger. I don't know the exact age a child is expected to speak clearly, but his mom worried he wasn't at the 'expected' speaking level for his age. Imagine if she had given up and concluded, "Well, I guess he's not a talker." Thankfully, they persisted, and now he's the most talkative kid I know.

Here lies the fundamental truth.

Marcus Aurelius says, "Do the external things which fall upon you distract you? Give yourself time to learn something new and good and cease to be whirled around."

We often become frustrated when we struggle to maintain a diet, stick to routines, or rapidly acquire new skills. Business is not growing fast enough; scrap it! It is easier than ever to succumb to anxiety about being left behind.

How many times do you feel like giving up on your personal growth?

Our dissatisfaction and disappointment often stem from our lack of self-compassion. We neglect to grant ourselves the time necessary for learning and growth. It requires time and patience if you wish to achieve something, create, and bring your vision to life.

I am guilty of impatience myself. We all desire to become our best selves instantly.

In the words of James Allen, "The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness and believing this truth that strength can only be developed by effort and practice, will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself and, adding effort to effort, patience to patience, and strength to strength, will never cease to develop and will, at last, grow divinely strong."

Will you magically transform into the best version of yourself? Will you suddenly become the epitome of a stoic or a flawless traveler? Probably not. Such instantaneous perfection is impossible. However, being patient with yourself and continually building upon your efforts, adding patience to patience, and strength to strength is possible.

Work on that. Fall and get back up. Give yourself time the time and space to try again.