On dips and plateaus

Who would not like to become better? But will you do it easily? It doesn't matter if it's your hobby or profession. You will find that with time it goes better than at the beginning.

The learning curve is quite steep in the beginning. A few basic skills or terms already open doors that were previously closed.

But then a period of stagnation sets in. It is the time also known as dips or plateauing. It is the time when you repeat your new skills and produce first repeatable results. It is the time when you may aspire to get a predictable result. It is the time when chance still brings in variation.

You are training your powers of observation. You are noticing new things that allow you to improve skills.

The dips and plateau time can be exhausting and frustrating. On the one hand, blind repetition sometimes doesn't bring the same joy as it did in the beginning. On the other hand, you don't know where and how fast your journey will take you.

Are there shortcuts? Sure, you can speed up the process. Either by using the skill even more often and observing it better, or by finding someone who has already experienced it. A coach, a trainer, a mentor may be better able to see what is missing and how to overcome the obstacles.

Often it can help in which you try to copy the masters. However, you will develop your own variation. That's OK. It's all about you.

The question that arises is: Is it worth it? For what?

Only you can decide that. If it seems worthwhile to you and you continue to have fun and enjoy the repetitions that lead to perfection, keep going. Otherwise, maybe it's time to look for something new.

Actually, dips and plateaus are a good sign.