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When the Lights Go Out: How To Get Your Mind Unstuck While Learning Something Difficult
In learning a new skill, there are significant ups-and-downs. Those moments of glory when something clicks. The code executes perfectly. The concept makes sense.
Then there are those moments of devastation. Of thinking you’ll never get it. Of self-doubt and “What did I get myself into? I’m not smart enough for this!”
And you may experience both of these in the same day. Or sometimes in the same breath.
It’s all part of the process.
The Haze of Confusion
We are in week three of JavaScript at New York Code + Design Academy. And I’m beginning to feel more comfortable with the haze of confusion that sets in at the beginning of learning a new concept.
If a camera were focussed on my face, you’d see my eyes squint. My eyebrows sag. And the corners of my mouth descend a little while my lips part.
It’s my Look-of-Confusion. My “What just happened?” face.
“Okay,” our instructor says. “Now that we’ve gone through the lecture, let’s do some exercises.”
“A few what?” I think. “The lecture is done?”
