Some people say that learning a new skill – be it a language (spoken or otherwise!), cooking, housecleaning, raising kids, whatever – takes a lot of research, preparation and most importantly, practice.
Except for the practice part, I call bullshit.
Nearly every valuable – and marketable skill – that I have learned in life has followed the same route:
- Learn that a new skill exists. Read a a single internet article on this skill.
- Discuss skill with another individual with more eloquence than you intended, causing them to think you know more than you do.
- Foolishly accept a project involving said skill that is WAY. OVER. YOUR. HEAD.
- Work like a madman until you figure out how to accomplish what you said you would, without blowing anything up.
Obviously when there’s a lot on the line, this isn’t a great method. I wouldn’t recommend trying to learn rock climbing simply by trial and error. If you’re trying to learn French, or HTML, or long-jumping, then this might work! Just get yourself a project, be it personal or for someone else, and immerse yourself in it. You’ll learn, especially if you face humiliation/loss of money if you lose.
What, pray tell, have I learned this way?
- Every computer language I know (XHTML, HTML5, CSS 2.1, CSS 3, SQL, mySQL, PHP, VB)
- Microsoft Excel advanced functions. Like database queries and crazy pivot tables and functions three lines long.
- Most instruments I play
- WordPress
- Cooking (still working on that one)
- Parenting (don’t we all?)
- Driving in snow (no mean feat!)
- Sex (note: this is NOT one of my marketable skills, people!)
- Social media
- Making friends
- Housecleaning
- Organization
- Marketing
- SEO
My level of proficiency varies with each, of course. I’m not as good at marketing as I am at sex ::wink wink:: and I’m way better with CSS/HTML than I am with PHP, and cooking is way down on the list. But I’m making progress and I’m not spending a lot of time reading books about it. So there, public school systems of America. SO! THERE!
I bet you learned a lot of things this way too. Spill! What’s your list?
About MommyGeek
That’s how I learn everything too!
My list includes:
Everything I know about a computer
Paintshop/Photoshop
Home repairs
HTML
Cooking
There’s probably more to that list because trial and error is pretty much the only way I learn anything.
Twitter Name: unknwndreamer
It’s a great way to learn :) I think you’re my soul sister.
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
how to apologize
specific social skills
writing work-related reports
wordpress
Twitter Name: DTKMMeLookCrazy
Ooh, how to apologize is a really good one.
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
You know, I should try that more often. I do it sometimes, but I’ve also gone the “go to school, practice, work with a mentor blah blah blah” route, and I still feel like I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.
Twitter Name: betadad
Fake it til you make it, baby!
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and um, blogging and commenting.
Also,
breastfeeding, driving, yoga, skiing, and oral surgery.
just kidding about the yoga.
Twitter Name: returntoworkmom
Oh yeah, breastfeeding. I wasn’t so good at that.
I’ve got some dental work that needs doing, what are your rates? lol
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
Most computer stuff I learn by getting in over my head and muddling my way out. I totally learned to knit and crochet via the “jump into something way out of my league” method. My parenting skills are totally due to flying by the seat of my pants, then trying to learn from my many mistakes. My cosmetology skills are based on lots of error and and learning by screwing up (thankfully no one has photographic evidence of my moss green hair after the black hair color mis-hap).
Twitter Name: MamaKaren
Haha, I so wish you had a pic of that green hair! :)
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
I had a boss once who never stayed up on the technology of our industry and I swore I would never be like that. I’ve taught myself QuarkXpress (old school, baby!) InDesign, Excel, Photoshop, WordPress and cooking. Right now I’m slowly—and painfully—teaching myself HTML and CSS.
Twitter Name: dailysnark
A girl after my own heart! Feel free to catch me for any HTML/CSS q’s, it’s a passion of mine.
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
Anything related to child psychology and behavior plans. It’s an exciting life I have, eh?
Twitter Name: juliaroberts1
Honestly it’s impressive!
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
I learned how to put a widget in wordpress, how to ask for money when it’s owed ot me and to say no to low paying or no paying gigs.
Learned how to make rice. Saute vegetables
Be a grown up.
Oh shit. I should add “be a grown up” to my list!
Twitter Name: mommygeekology
I recently learned how to knit! It totally worked, and I absolutely think that taking on projects that were way past my skill level was what brought me to the point of being able to make toys for my kids. I am making a frog for my older daughter and a rabbit for my younger daughter. So much fun!