Things I've Learned Lately... #1

Since everyone keeps asking me, "How's #fUnemployment?" I want to take this blog post opportunity to share some of the things that I'm learning.

1. There is power in 10 minutes of intentional practice.  

During long blocks of studying, I take intentional 10 minute breaks to practice different hobbies and skills I want to fine tune. I literally set a 10 minute timer and practice one of the skills on my list and even color a box for every time I invest 10 minutes in that particular activity.  

“Mindset change is not about picking up a few pointers here and there. It's about seeing things in a new way. When people...change to a growth mindset, they change from a judge-and-be-judged framework to a learn-and-help-learn framework. Their commitment is to growth, and growth takes plenty of time, effort, and mutual support.” - Carol Dweck

I have noticed that 10 minutes adds up, especially when the time is FOCUSED on something specific.  For example, instead of just practicing guitar, playing scales on guitar using a metronome and speeding up the tempo throughout the 10 minutes.  Or, practicing a specific juggling skill like 2 balls in the left hand, instead of just "juggling practice."  

Here are some of the things I like to choose from for my breaks.  Again, in order to use the 10 minute break more intentionally, the practice time is specific to a skill within the hobby. 

• Goal: Learn the Chinese Yo-Yo or "Diablo" 
• Specific Trick
• Matching a Sequence of Tricks in order to Narrate a Story
• Goal: Get better at Juggling Balls
• Basic Pattern
• Left/Right Hand 2 Ball Patterns
• Specific Juggling Trick
• Specific Sequence of Tricks
• Goal: Learn to Juggling Clubs
• Basic Pattern
• Specific Juggling Trick using Clubs
• Goal: Get better at Acoustic Guitar (Thanks Tyler) 
• Major Scales with a Metronome
• Chords 
• Learn a Cover! (Dream list!) 
• Goal: Practice Portuguese
• Read Aloud in Portuguese
• Goal: Practice Spanish
• Read Aloud in Portuguese

2. Fears are for facing. 

This summer, I enrolled in SWIM LESSONS!  Yep, SWIM LESSONS! After reading, Mindset by Carol Dweck, I realized I had a fixed mindset on swimming.  I would say, "I'm not good at swimming." When, really, through training and practice, I can get better.  So, I enrolled in swim lessons at SMU and have a great swim coach that pushes me when I'm scared and helps me overcome my fears.  I am learning that it's true, 

“No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.” - Carol Dweck

Here's to more 10 minute intentional breaks, lots of out-of-breath-lap-swimming, and dropping lots of things while juggling... but learning all along the way.