LEARN, LIVE, get something done …

LEARN, LIVE, get something done …

What do you do with yourself? I was asked recently. I took a deep breath and said, I write. Eyebrows lifted, how did you learn to write? My answer, I simply began and learnt as I wrote.
I didn’t receive much of a response so later I began to think about all the different things I’ve learnt while doing them. It didn’t take me long to realise that nearly all of my accomplishments were learnt in that way. I did Dental nursing on the job learning as I worked and I certainly didn’t learn to ride a horse from a book. Sure I read what’s required from books but actually learning to ride a horse and reading about it are poles apart. The same goes for learning to ride a bike, water skiing, breeding horses and even learning about marriage once you’re married.

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
~Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics

I found this type of learning gave me a clear understanding of my particular interests, for instance breeding Arabian horses. After figuring out what my ideal Arabian looked like, based on what I read, saw and many conversations, (some helpful, some not so helpful) my ideal horse was purchased.
I loved this idea but I soon learnt that I couldn’t learn everything I wanted to know by just doing it. I needed to know what others thought and then reflect and compare our opinions. And may I add – there are lots of opinions out there.
Yes, I lived every moment of breeding our Arabian horses, loved it, and soaked up all the information I could find.
One day as I cleaned the stables and reflected on where we were and where we wanted to be in five years’ time, I realised I had actually learned far more about breeding horses than I imagined possible!

The same can be said for writing. I listen to many people who talk about their desire to write a book. Could anything be easier? I am smiling a tiny bit here. The thing is to learn to write you have to DO it. You have to write even if it’s only half an hour a day.
It should be easy, shouldn’t it? It’s not like riding a horse where you have to troupe down the paddock to catch the horse then brush the horse, saddle and bridle the horse and maybe, lunge the horse and then, woo-hoo finally ride the horse.
No, you only have to find a notebook and pen and write or sit down at your computer and type. Who cares what you write. Look at me, you can say I’m writing and the more you do it the easier it becomes. When I think about it I’m amazed we’re all capable of doing such incredibly creative things.
The more you do something you not only improve your skills but also the very real chance of success.

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”
~Richard Branson

Some fifteen years ago, I began writing my book Tails Carried High. The people around me smiled a secret smile and insinuated, oh, she’s learning how to write a book the hard way. So I wondered why I actually had to learn to write a book before I wrote a book.
Of course there’s a lot to learn about writing but as far as I was concerned I was writing a book. They missed the point or didn’t think it could be done this way.
Did they expect I should go and learn to write and once I’d done this then I’d be an official writer? Writing a book is writing a book. I have, hopefully, become a more skilful writer over the years still taking the time to learn from others.
So much of my life has been about getting in there and doing it! Now if I wish to learn something I BEGIN then make the effort to hone my skills. I love the idea of learning new things by simply beginning.
P.D. James’ words may be about writing but they can be attributed to anything we may wish to learn. He said, “Learn to write by doing it. Read widely and wisely. Increase your word power. Find your own individual voice through practicing constantly. Go through the world with your eyes and ears open and learn to express that experience in words.”

Why not start now, whatever it may be, give it a try and learn as you go!