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I've found that counter-intuitively, the best way to get over the hurdle of creating is to learn it seriously, at least for a while, to get over the beginner pe

I've found that counter-intuitively, the best way to get over the hurdle of creating is to learn it seriously, at least for a while, to get over the beginner period. And not just just hobbies of creation, but also sports. It takes a beginner significantly more energy to enjoy an activity, but once you are proficient in the basics (like keyboard playing for improvisation) the mental barrier is much lower, and you are more likely to just jump into it and enjoy yourself. My father liked badminton, but was never good, and rarely played. Then, at some point in his busy life, he scheduled a lesson once a week, for two months. It made such a dramatic change; he started to play weekly, even after the lesson ended, and each time with rejoicing and cheerfulness. I've seen the same pattern on myself and my friends as well, in both arts and sports. So, I'd say if you think there's something you might enjoy doing often, schedule some time to study it (again, doesn't have to be long). Get better and get happier.

nonbirithm 6y ago
Same. I have found that I'm usually only interested in doing things I'm already good at, and cannot do well attempting to be an autodidact. The obligation of setting up and getting to an appointment on time means you have no choice but to have someone experienced see you work, and no choice but to have them guide you. If I am given a choice, as in left to my own devices without any other person to force or obligate me to keep going, I will usually end up stopping. My biggest problem is either not being able to tell if I have actually made any progress, or have made too little progress over too long a period of time. It seems to be accepted that if you put in a lot of effort then you'll get better, but they never mention how much better. I don't see the point in getting to point X in 10 years when being smarter about my resources would have gotten me to point X in 3 years, if getting there faster means getting to the point where I actually start enjoying it faster. Time is precious and non-renewable. Some forms of practice are simply better than others, and I believe that I can't always figure them out entirely alone.
watwut 6y ago
I had opposite experience. I always tender to take things seriously and felt like doing them just bit is wrong or weak and "unserious". Result was that I stopped those activities soon, because they were draining. Meanwhile, people who just unseriously dabbled in them, tender to learn and get habits. They were not drained by them and had fun.
- powersnail 6y ago
  I'm sure this is highly subjective, and people get fun or boredom in their own ways. I just find that I cannot enjoy something if I have too much doubts. I may enjoy doing it once or twice, but if I'm constantly caught in failure/exhaustion, it's no longer fun. I used to be into composing and improvisation, but each time I attempt at it, the result was to "meh". I walked the keyboard but knew nowhere to go. The fun was basically an initial passion plus a little curiosity, which in me, tends to die quickly if no fuel is supplied. Meanwhile, my friend who actually studied Jazz, can sit in front of a piano and just play, fully enjoying every second of it, while entertaining everyone else. Comparing with my randomly walking on the keyboard, it's a higher level of fun as he attempts to weave the harmonies and melodies, and it's more lasting and more complex. Again, it's a quite personal thing, as I also have a friend who literally doesn't do anything new. He neither dabbles nor learn seriously; has no hobbies apart from having dinner with friends; but still, he seems to be really happy.
  - watwut 6y ago
    For me the difference was mindset, with "unserious" approach, I also expected less. Both in terms of effort and result. So suddenly "meh" improvisation (or whatever) is OK, because the goal was not good improvisation. It was too do pretty much anything and maybe learn little bit. And that change of expectations made difference in long term - in two years span I improved much more on things I had low expectations at and kept fun and thus kept doing bit by bit.
sharadov 6y ago
I also think that people have a talent and proclivity towards certain fields of interest. If you have played a couple sports well, then it's easy to pickup more. If you can play a musical instrument well, it's easer to translate the learning to others. If you can cook one cuisine well, then it's easier to start cooking others, as the fundamentals are there. That said, I agree with you, if you want to pickup something that you feel you don't have a talent for, then you need to hire a good coach and take lessons. And yes, the initial hump is frustrating, most people give up, but if you can push yourself over it, you'll begin to enjoy it.

nonbirithm 6y ago

Same. I have found that I'm usually only interested in doing things I'm already good at, and cannot do well attempting to be an autodidact. The obligation of setting up and getting to an appointment on time means you have no choice but to have someone experienced see you work, and no choice but to have them guide you. If I am given a choice, as in left to my own devices without any other person to force or obligate me to keep going, I will usually end up stopping. My biggest problem is either not being able to tell if I have actually made any progress, or have made too little progress over too long a period of time. It seems to be accepted that if you put in a lot of effort then you'll get better, but they never mention how much better. I don't see the point in getting to point X in 10 years when being smarter about my resources would have gotten me to point X in 3 years, if getting there faster means getting to the point where I actually start enjoying it faster. Time is precious and non-renewable. Some forms of practice are simply better than others, and I believe that I can't always figure them out entirely alone.

watwut 6y ago

I had opposite experience. I always tender to take things seriously and felt like doing them just bit is wrong or weak and "unserious". Result was that I stopped those activities soon, because they were draining. Meanwhile, people who just unseriously dabbled in them, tender to learn and get habits. They were not drained by them and had fun.

powersnail 6y ago
I'm sure this is highly subjective, and people get fun or boredom in their own ways. I just find that I cannot enjoy something if I have too much doubts. I may enjoy doing it once or twice, but if I'm constantly caught in failure/exhaustion, it's no longer fun. I used to be into composing and improvisation, but each time I attempt at it, the result was to "meh". I walked the keyboard but knew nowhere to go. The fun was basically an initial passion plus a little curiosity, which in me, tends to die quickly if no fuel is supplied. Meanwhile, my friend who actually studied Jazz, can sit in front of a piano and just play, fully enjoying every second of it, while entertaining everyone else. Comparing with my randomly walking on the keyboard, it's a higher level of fun as he attempts to weave the harmonies and melodies, and it's more lasting and more complex. Again, it's a quite personal thing, as I also have a friend who literally doesn't do anything new. He neither dabbles nor learn seriously; has no hobbies apart from having dinner with friends; but still, he seems to be really happy.
- watwut 6y ago
  For me the difference was mindset, with "unserious" approach, I also expected less. Both in terms of effort and result. So suddenly "meh" improvisation (or whatever) is OK, because the goal was not good improvisation. It was too do pretty much anything and maybe learn little bit. And that change of expectations made difference in long term - in two years span I improved much more on things I had low expectations at and kept fun and thus kept doing bit by bit.

sharadov 6y ago

I also think that people have a talent and proclivity towards certain fields of interest. If you have played a couple sports well, then it's easy to pickup more. If you can play a musical instrument well, it's easer to translate the learning to others. If you can cook one cuisine well, then it's easier to start cooking others, as the fundamentals are there. That said, I agree with you, if you want to pickup something that you feel you don't have a talent for, then you need to hire a good coach and take lessons. And yes, the initial hump is frustrating, most people give up, but if you can push yourself over it, you'll begin to enjoy it.