Most of us have been told ‘experience is the best teacher” especially after something negative happens or as a warning when someone is about to do something we consider a mistake. However, I don’t think this saying is entirely true, experience may not be the best teacher on the block.
I often find myself wondering why I should fail at something to become good at it, why I can't automatically excel at it the first time around and if I must experience a learning curve, why I can’t learn from others? Must my learning always come from my own experiences?
Yes, we learn from our mistakes, but let's face it, too many mistakes can be a buzzkill. They might even make you want to quit. Personally, when I see that I am failing too much at something, I take it as a cue to take a bow.
Success isn't always on the flip side of failure and you do not need to go through the stress of failing to succeed. The idea that failure is the only path to mastery suggests that success is a by-product of repeated failure.
While failure can offer valuable insights, it isn't the most efficient way to learn. Some lessons can be gained through guidance, mentorship, and structured education, saving time and energy. We can also learn from other people’s mistakes and assume some other people’s journey as ours especially when we see an alignment.
You don't have to be the 'oops-I-did-it-again' poster child. You can tap into the wisdom of those who've walked the walk and lived to tell the tale. While you may not always achieve mastery in a particular skill or endeavor, the lessons you gain along the way are invaluable.
Experience, guidance, and learning from others – they all play a part in our quest for mastery. So, the next time you're gearing up to conquer a new skill, don't feel like you have to fall flat on your face to reach the top.
Balance your learning from experience with insights from others who've been there, done that. You don't always need to go through the school of hard knocks. You've got options, and they make the journey that much more exciting.
Love & Light,
Olajumoke
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