You have had to learn everything you do, did you know that?
Every. Single. Thing.
This seems like a simple idea, but we can easily see past it.
You and I had to learn to walk, talk, read, write, type on a keyboard, use Excel, forgive others, and take turns speaking.
Kids get frustrated with this point easily, so remind them of it when you can.
- “Of course you can’t dance exactly like that girl in the show, she has been dancing longer than you have been alive, sweetheart.”
- “Don’t be discouraged yet, son. You have been practicing basketball for less than a year. Keep going.”
- “Come here sweet girl. You can’t be sad at not being able to play the piano. You have never practiced playing the piano.”
- “Of course algebra is hard, you have not learned how to do it yet. Let’s figure this out.”
Understand: Everything is practice.
And since this is true, the key is in finding something you enjoy practicing.
“See!” Uncle Jake said. “You’re not DUMB. You just need to APPLY yourself.” “What does that mean?” I asked him. “It means work hard. Focus. Give one hundred percent. You see, no one is BORN knowing the times tables—or anything else! You have to LEARN and you have to learn EVERYTHING. That means you have to actually study and work until you know. Of course, this will be easier for some people than others.”
-Jocko Willink, The Way Of The Warrior Kid