The Stepping Stones of Learning: Why You Don't Have to Be Perfect

I have a confession. I am impatient.

When I start a new video game, I want to be the best player immediately. When I buy a guitar, I want to play a rock solo now. When I learn to cook, I want to make a 5-star meal on my first try.

Do you ever feel like that?

It is frustrating! We try once, we mess up, and we say: "I'm bad at this. I quit."

But that is not how learning works. That is asking for magic.

The Mountain and the Stones

Imagine a giant, beautiful green mountain. At the very top is a castle called "Mastery." That's where you are the expert.

You are standing at the bottom in the mud.

You look up at the castle. It is so high! You try to jump. Boing. You only go up one foot. You can't jump to the top.

But look closely. There is a path. It is made of glowing Stepping Stones.

• Stone 1
• Stone 2
• Stone 3

You can easily step onto Stone 1. It's right there. Then, from Stone 1, you can step to Stone 2.

The Code of Stones

Let's say you want to learn to code apps like we do at Orb21.

If you try to build a giant app like Instagram on your first day, you will fail. You will cry. You will throw your keyboard.

But look at the stepping stones:

• Stone 1: Type "Hello World" on the screen. (Easy! You did it!)
• Stone 2: Make the text blue. (Fun!)
• Stone 3: Make a button that says "Click Me." (Cool!)
• Stone 4: Make the button count clicks. (Math!)

If you just focus on the next stone, it isn't scary. It is a game.

Stumbling is Part of Walking

Sometimes, you will step on a stone and it will be slippery. You might slip off into the mud.

That is called a Mistake.

Is the game over? No! You are just muddy. Get back on the stone. Try again. Maybe wipe your shoes this time.

The Masters at the top of the mountain? They are the ones who fell in the mud the most. They just kept climbing.

Look Back

Here is a trick for when you feel discouraged.

Don't look up at how far you have to go. Look down at how far you have come.

Look at Stone 1 way down there. "Wow, remember when I didn't even know how to type Hello World? Now I am making buttons! I am climbing!"

Celebrating your progress gives you the energy to take the next step.

Enjoy the Walk

If you are only happy when you reach the castle, you will be unhappy for the whole climb.

Be happy on the stones! Enjoy the fresh air. Enjoy the view. Enjoy the feeling of your brain stretching and growing.

Life is a long climb. There is always a new mountain. So learn to love the stepping stones. Update your brain, one step at a time.