Introduction

Introduction to Overcoming Procrastination and Frustration Barriers When Acquiring New Skills

Many of us constantly postpone starting new activities, using a lack of time as an excuse. This affects various areas of life, including learning foreign languages, playing musical instruments, acquiring a new profession, or engaging in sports.

Some typical excuses that we come up with to avoid starting a new hobby include: "it's not the right time," "I'm not talented enough," or "it's too difficult to begin." From these justifications to actual action is a big step that many never take.

At the initial stages of acquiring any skill, each of us encounters the so-called frustration barrier. This is a state where everything seems unbearably difficult and critically undermines confidence in oneself and one's abilities. However, overcoming this barrier is the key to success.

Expert opinions and research confirm that 20 hours of focused practice can master the fundamentals of virtually any task. From artistic mastery to flying an airplane, the first and most crucial threshold can be overcome with desire and a little perseverance.

This course is not designed to overwhelm you with tons of theory but to introduce you to practical methods that I, the author, have used to acquire various skills. These include yoga, programming, touch typing, playing go, playing the guitar, windsurfing, and many others.

The goal of this course is to show that you too can begin and successfully master something new using the practices and strategies presented. With each section, you will not only receive information but also practice assignments that will help you incrementally develop new skills.

Examples from the lives of many successful individuals emphasize the significance of starting and persisting in any endeavor. As Lao Tzu said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.". This course is intended to help you confidently take that step and derive maximum benefit from it.