Frustration is not a sign that you’re not leaning, but ease is.
David Epstein
I’m currently listening to Range by David Epstein. It’s all about generalists vs specialists and it’s fascinating. As in, the difference (and disadvantages) of single-minded focus vs exploring different interests and being able to draw on diverse experiences to solve problems.
I wrote down the above quote when I heard it in a section about learning. It hit me hard. Epstein talked about how tests and other early success metrics of learning are so often bullshit when it comes to long-term application of the material. One example was an experiment that showed if you got hints during practice tests, in theory to help you learn, when you took the real test all the information seemed to fall out of your brain without that crutch. On the other hand, not having hints during practice was much harder and a slower learning curve, but ultimately you learned and retained the material and performed better on the real test.
Frustration is not a sign that you’re not learning. I’m only halfway through the book but already this feels like it applies to so much. In writing the frustration I feel not quite being good enough as my imagined prose. At work being frustrated that I don’t know the answers to problems. It’s an encouraging spin: it means I’m learning and growing and hopefully getting better the more I challenge myself rather than choosing “easy” pursuits (that would definitely bore me anyhow).
So whoever needs it, that’s your nugget of David Epstein wisdom for the day. Next time you feel frustrated when learning something new, take that as a sign you’re on the right path.
With Love,
Natalie