Back in high school I could not type worth a darn. Years later, I was hired for what would become my last job, on the recommendation of a former co-worker and nothing more. The week I was hired I decided that I needed to take typing lessons. I was the only ‘old’ person in the room, I breezed through “asdf;lkj.” Yes. I had to start from square one, but I knew that I (1) wanted the job I had stepped into and (2) don’t mind gambling against myself. I was determined to become a proficient typist, at least the best typist I could be. We should never let fear of failure (or shame) keep us from moving forward.

First things first, set the right course for learning a new skill.

• Let go of the past. The older we are, the harder it is to pick up new skills, sometimes because of fears or bad habits. When you try to pick up something new, train your mind to let go of preconceived ideas so you can be open to learning.

• Start with the basics. We often try to jump past the fundamentals to speed up the learning process, but that seldom works. To find the right road, begin with material that explains how and where to get started.

• Break down the tasks. The distance ahead can seem overwhelming at first. Cut down your journey into manageable segments to avoid growing frustrated.

• Ask for help or directions. The key to understanding is to ask questions. Consult with experts who can guide you toward your destination. Develop some test questions for yourself as a way to really confirm your understanding of the material, and also to retain the information better.

And finally,

• Become an expert at each segment. Don’t move on to the next step until you’ve tested your knowledge. Try to get the same measurable results over and over before you move on.