Get Good by Being Bad: How to Build Your Skills Faster & Have More Fun
I’m just going to say it. If you’re avoiding things you’re bad at, you’re preventing your own success.
If you find yourself wishing you were better at something, I have good news. There is a clear, well-worn and proven path to getting better at that thing. I’m going to share with you some of the ways I’ve stumbled on that path, but I especially need you to know what helped me level up fast in the last 6 weeks. And it’s not expensive courses or a secret technique I got from a wizard on top of a mountain. At the end, I’ll break down some actions you can take today. But it’s not going to work for you unless you really understand why. Grab your coffee, and if you’re like me, a notebook and your favorite pen, and let’s go.
A holiday candle, a book, a notebook & pen
A lack of technical skills can be a barrier to hitting that next level in your creative work. Maybe it currently takes you way too long to create a project in Canva, or in my case, you’re only throwing a few pieces on the wheel in an hour, and then it takes you another hour to clean up.
I’ve noticed this roadblock to progress in regular life too, like when trying to develop a running habit, or going to the gym. We just stay in comfort-zone land, because running takes repetition, at first we are huffing and puffing, and have to go slow. And the gym can be intimidating if you don’t know how to use the equipment, or what exercise to do next.
One step at a time
It isn’t fun to suck at something. It’s frustrating, and it can you make feel bad about yourself. So we’ve figured out a pretty straightforward solution to the problem. We just avoid doing things we’re not good at. And we use phrases like, “Oh drawing is just NOT my thing.” Or in my case, “I’m not a math person.” Come on, what does that actually even mean? I hated math in school because they made us do those timed tests, so I avoided it and made excuses ever since? Sure, some people have a natural gift in certain areas. But we all have amazing neuroplastic brains that can (and will) make new pathways based on the challenges we take on.
We just have to take a few minutes to think about our goals, what skills would help us get there faster, and how leveling up our skills in that area would make a difference for us.
What one skill would help you reach that “someday maybe” goal that’s been sitting on the shelf for too long?
A collage of creative tools, including cameras, scissors, pens
Okay, now that you’ve identified that one skill you’re going to build, let’s break down some ways to actually do this.
Block time on your calendar.
First let’s handle the important part that we are all whining about right now. “But I don’t have TIME, I’m SO BUSY.” Sure, we are all busy and fill up our days with plenty of activities…that we have chosen. Even that’s a 9-5 job, or a family, in most cases our “barriers” are things that we invited into our life on purpose, which is good to remember every once in a while! So to find space for something new, think about a part of your day or week that you have control over.
That extra evening TV time, or 30 minutes in the morning before the kids or partner wakes up, or the chunk of time when you plop down on the couch after work and scroll your phone. Even if it’s an hour on Saturday mornings. How much time you block off depends on how much you have, but it also depends on the particular skill you are trying to build. To get better at drawing, you may want to work for 20 minutes every morning while you drink your coffee, while scuba diving is going to take a full afternoon, so maybe you can only go twice a month.
Find a teacher.
Do a little research to locate an expert in the technique you want to develop. They don’t have to be the best in the world, just better than you. Do not overthink this step. There are infinite options, but you’ll want to pick one quickly and start, not spend weeks researching the best out there. This could be someone who offers in-person courses nearby, or who makes free YouTube videos on your topic, or who wrote an easily digestible book on your skill of choice.
Follow - exactly - what they’re doing.
This may mean following along with an instructional video, or working with someone one-on-one to show you the procedure. It could also just be reading a book and taking notes. This step involves consistency and repetition. After the “time” excuse, it’s where most people give up. But it isn’t complicated. Put a regular amount of time on your calendar to work on it, even if that’s 15 minutes a day, or two hours once or twice a week. The main thing is knowing that it will actually fit in the flow of your schedule as it already is. Don’t think you’re going to completely turn your life upside down and grind for eight hours a day to get good at this thing over the weekend. Trust me, I’ve tried that strategy with throwing on the wheel. Not only did I give up on day two, I was sore for a week!
Make it your own.
The last step seems like an afterthought, but I think it’s the most important part of making your efforts stick. There might be a slight difference in the hand position that works best for you compared to the instructor. There might be something about their method that you really don’t like, but when you add your own twist, it smooths out the process or motivates you to show up more consistently.
Calendar planner with coffee
I promised to share what helped me level up fast in the last 6 weeks: Here’s how it actually went when I tried these 4 steps.
Block your calendar.
I decided on a chunk of 2-3 hours at the studio. Less than once a week, and I lost ground. More than once a week and I was dropping other priorities. I found a good flow where I ALWAYS throw on Monday mornings. It’s quiet in the community studio. It’s a fresh start to the week. Then as the pieces dry, I have to stay on top of trimming, finishing, and glazing the pieces, so I take an hour Wednesday morning to trim and 2 hours Friday morning to finish off pieces and glaze. And this still leaves time for the other activities in my life, like painting, family stuff, cooking, friends, writing, growing my business, and community involvement. Bottom line, this schedule is regular enough to build skill, but realistic enough that I’ve actually stuck to it.
Find a teacher.
I found a great instructional video on throwing more efficiently by potter and teacher Tim See. It was short, and focused on one specific skill. His teaching style is very straightforward. I watched it over and over, took notes and drew diagrams.
Follow - exactly - what they’re doing.
Then I just followed, step for step, his exact technique. This is the tough part. Because for the first 2 weeks, I got WORSE. On the third week, there was a glimmer of hope, where at times I felt it working. I kept going. By week 6 I could feel the techniques becoming natural and flowing together, and I no longer had to reference my notes. I was centering much faster, and finishing pieces with fewer pulls. Don’t look now, but it’s happening!
Make it your own.
There was still something about the opening up step of throwing, where you push into the center and form the bottom of the piece, that was causing me to pull my pieces off center, and then I’d waste time trying to fix it. Finally, I made it my own. I took Tim’s principles, and slowed down, allowing myself to be present with the activity and the sensations involved. I adjusted my technique and hand position until it was working more efficiently for me, my hands, and my body.
A potter completing a pull while throwing on the wheel
It’s time to stop avoiding things you think you’re bad at, and getting in your own way. With just a little bit of strategy, and a lot of patience, you will get better at that next thing. And it WILL unlock your next level.
WHICH NEXT ACTION FITS YOU?
Here are three ideas you can implement now to start building skills and having fun doing it.
You know which one you’re more likely to do, so start there!
The Quick Win:
This will take 15 minutes total and will jump start your progress. Grab a piece of paper. Set a timer for 5 minutes. List some goals you have for yourself in the upcoming year. Now set the timer for another 5 minutes and brainstorm all the skills that would help you reach those goals faster. Then, set the timer for 5 more minutes, and start jotting down small, medium, and big windows of time you could find in your week. Finally, look over your lists, and find the overlap between a skill that will help with one of your chosen goals, and that could be done in the time you actually have. Put it on your calendar and go!
The Solid Solution:
Take a class. This requires a bit more time, and probably a bit of money, but it has accountability and investment baked in, which increases the odds you’ll stick with it. Maybe you’ll sign up for 6-week class on watercolor, or woodworking, or find an online course on your topic of choice. Learn at home for less money, on your schedule. A multi-week class with accountability is ideal to help you build the habit of learning into your life.
Treat Yourself:
Be creative on this one, but I’m thinking of two ways to splurge here - one would be to hire a coach, a mentor that will work directly with you to achieve the results you want. And the other would be to buy the stuff you’ll need. Head off to your favorite art supply store and buy some new tools or supplies to motivate you to get going!
Life is more fun when you’re always growing and getting better! Let go of perfection, and be bad to get good.
With enthusiasm for art & life,
Heidi
Key References & Resources:
Tim See’s Facebook group: Beginners Throwing Class with Tim See. Tim shares lots of videos and responds to trouble-shooting questions. He’s really helpful and cares about what he does.
Clear, James. Atomic Habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery. This is a great book that can help create a habit of learning if you’re having trouble squeezing something else into your life.