Becoming proficient in a specific skill or hobby
How to Become Proficient in a Specific Skill or Hobby
Becoming proficient in a specific skill or hobby can be one of the most rewarding pursuits, but also one of the most difficult. It takes time and effort and that’s before you even start talking about developing skills to find a job or make money doing what you love.
If you have a talent or a skill that you want to develop and get better at, then it’s well worth investing the time it will take to get proficient. However, sometimes people want to learn something they have no real in-born talent for. In those cases, you need to really push yourself if you want to achieve any real level of proficiency. That’s not to say that innate talent doesn’t exist. There are plenty of people out there with true natural abilities for certain skills or hobbies, but not everyone is so lucky. Some people have to work much harder than others in order to actually become good at what they enjoy doing.
An author of a blog called 'Treat Your World' said, "It's important to remember that there are no shortcuts to mastery in any field. One of the most important things you can do is to find out what it is you're trying to master. If you can figure out what the skill is, and what kind of skills you need, then you can determine whether or not you'll be able to achieve proficiency in the field. If it's not possible for you to achieve proficiency at all, it probably isn't worth pursuing. You may want to try a different hobby or spare-time interest that you're more likely to become proficient at."
This is true in all areas of life, not just hobbies. In order to develop your ability to perform a job well, you must first determine what you are trying to accomplish and do your research accordingly. That will help you determine whether or not you have the potential for success as well as open up doors that may have been closed off previously. Alternatively, if it's something you know you are not particularly good at, then it's time for some hard work and dedication.
People who want to become proficient in a hobby or skill will likely have to put in some long hours. That doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to have to turn it into a job, but it does mean that you're going to need to get serious about becoming good at whatever you enjoy doing. Having passion and determination are good and are certainly necessary, but if neither of those things translates into skill, then you still may end up failing. Most likely you'll be able to progress faster than a hobbyist who is just putting in time because they like it, but only if the person is willing to put forth the effort required of them.
According to 'Uncommon sense' a blog about life and business, "Most people don't have the discipline required to do the work. If you don't set up a schedule for yourself and hold yourself accountable, then there's no way you'll succeed. You can have all the natural talent in the world, but without discipline, it won't matter. A lot of people are willing to try something new with an eye toward achieving proficiency in it or getting good at it. Those same people who want to get better at something will fail if they don't put in the time and effort required."
The right attitude can make all the difference in any situation involving effort, including becoming proficient at any skill or hobby. If you have a positive outlook, then you'll be much more likely to achieve your goal. On the other hand, if you go into something with a negative attitude or with predetermined ideas about what is possible and what isn't, then of course you're not going to succeed.
In order to become proficient at any skill or hobby, it's important that you approach it in a determination minded manner. You must be able to maintain a positive outlook even when things get frustrating and difficult. It's an uphill battle for most people who try to achieve proficiency in something they aren't naturally good at. So, if you're determined, you can persevere through all the ups and downs and hopefully accomplish something.
"I think the easiest way to get better at something is to practice it on a regular basis. If you're truly passionate about it then there's no substitute for doing it on a regular basis with dedication." - Joseph Jaffe
According to 'Evernote Blog', "If you're trying to become proficient at something, keep your studies simple. Don't try to learn every new technique in each project. Just master the fundamentals of the skill and refine them until they're flawless." This may seem like common sense, but there are some people out there who are passionate about something they can't stand practicing. If they can't master the fundamentals and refine them well, then they're not going to be able to achieve proficiency in anything.
One of the most important things you can do is to determine what it is you want to learn, practice and become proficient at. If you have a specific goal in mind, then it will make progress that much more realistic. The next step is finding out what skill or hobby it's best suited for.
The 'Dance Source' blog talks about this very thing on their website in an article called "What Is Your Passion For?". This is a great article for anyone looking for inspiration on whether something they're trying will result in success or not. This article will provide you with a good idea of what it is that you're trying to do and help identify which skills are best suited for your goals. It will also help you decide if it's something that you can stick to or not.
"If you want to become proficient at something, then practice on a regular basis. If you don't want to practice a lot, then don't go into it with the expectation that you're going to become proficient." - Ahmed Minhaj
If it's something you really love but don't know whether or not it's the right hobby for you, then do some research. Use the tips mentioned in this article and look for websites about hobbies and their benefits.
Conclusion
You've got to have a positive mindset and determination to become proficient in any hobby or skill. Discipline is also essential for anyone who wants to achieve their goals. If you can keep up this attitude, then you can be confident that you'll become proficient at your chosen career or trade. Whether it's something you love doing or not, if it doesn't seem like something you're naturally good at, then it's time to get serious about doing whatever it takes to get better at it.