Don't Do This The Hard Way : 7 Productive Ways To Learn A Creative Skill

No pain, no gain.

That’s the old school thinking.

To become THE best is to go by the path of sacrifice.

Sure, that’s true. That’s how they did it before.

But what I am talking about is learning a creative skill, pursuing a creative path in a way that is not counter productive.

Research has shown that our brains absorbs better, learn better, remembers better when we are in a relaxed state of mind. While a lot of us still have some sort of a belief that we have to struggle to succeed…. well that depends on the kind of breed that you are.

For me, that doesn’t work. So if this resonates with you, read on.

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Relax, not Resist

When I am in a relaxed state while learning a skill, or learning a new song, I absorb better. In fact, I absorb without realising it.

When I push against something in spite of myself to learn something, my brain goes on a "Thank you, Good bye, Shut Down" mode and refuse to absorb anything further.

Everyone is different, but if you are somewhat like me and a little more sensitive than others, - well, welcome to the group.





Be Creative - Not Military

Art is a Creative Outlet - Not Some Military Pursuit.

Perfect your craft but try not to be anal about it.

Art is nothing like military. Creative expression is not governed by a certain ISO standard.

When creativity flow turns to stress and pain, simple. Stop. Don’t get caught up in the stream of negativity. Do something else.

In my opinion, any form of art, creative expression should not create additional stress. Yes, while I agree pain did help add some vibrancy to wonderful creative forms of art and expression by world famous artist - but the trick is to be able to work with it, rather than it ruining your love for your creative expression to the point you hate it. (Trust me - that was the reason why I stopped singing for years.)

So lighten up, allow for some flexibility.

Remember : Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And real beauty comes from a deeper form creative expression, that cannot be emulated.





Focus On Your Strengths And What You Can Do

If you really look at what makes famous artists or musicians become popular, it is often not because they have got the best voice in the world, or they make the best music.

It is really because they don’t let their weaknesses stop them.

They know what works for them and they polish it. They go straight ahead even though they know they might not be the best. And then they take the time to work on what they do best - until they become the best.





Your Imperfections Are Your Uniqueness: Embrace Them

Stop insisting your craft goes a certain way (like I did).

Stop pushing for perfection - it defeats the purpose of art. But accept the imperfections so much so it converts to perfection over time.

Your imperfections and flaws are what creates your uniqueness and individuality.

Embrace it. Love it. Allow it to adapt and settle in to you. Then watch how it transforms.

Now that’s art.





Cheat Codes to Life - Love What You Do

I was listening to a music by American electronic music DJ trios Cheat Codes “Stay With You” on Spotify - and I was so inspired by what they said about what “Cheat Codes” literally meant. Their cheat codes to Life, is about loving what you do and conveying that energy through their music.

A lot of us managed to become “successful" because we have to. But loving what you do just adds a bit more of a magic touch to it which no one can take away from you. It has your special touch, your unique energy blueprint - which copycats or wannabes cannot emulate even if they want to. And your energy is your trademark. That’s you.

So if you find yourself beginning to love less of what you do, find out the reasons why you are becoming like that. Then stop doing it.

Very often, those reasons have nothing to do with the real reason why you initially fell in love with your craft. Connect with the first spark of passion that first draw you in, focus on it and let the rest that doesn’t help you love what you do, fall away.





Stop Trying to Please Others

When I stop trying so hard to be perfect, when I stop wondering what would others think of me, my energy goes into singing in the way that suits me, and what makes me happy.

For years, the mistake I made is trying so hard to do things a certain way with the thinking of “I should do this because they would……”

When you try to live up to the expectations of others - in any aspect of your life, the problem is others, mean many, others. Nevermind there will be more than one different opinion on how you should work your craft, but therein arises the problem of not ever being able to please all of them.

The oddest thing for me was when I focus all the above, focusing on myself, working on what suits me best, I get better and better. And the funniest thing?

I seem to please others too.

Best part?

Mom just gave me one of the best compliments I have ever heard from her in my life. #TrueStory





Have Fun

Last piece of advice, if you are going to do what you want to do, you might as well have some fun at it.

Play around with it. Experiment new ways to learn it. Explore different ways to do it.

Remember: We do learn best when we play. In fact, we learn best when we are not even trying to learn at all.

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