Navigating Frustration: Learning at Your Own Pace
Have you ever felt frustrated when you're unable to learn something as quickly as others? It's a common feeling, especially if you habitually compare yourself to others. While it's hard to stop the urge to compare, there are strategies to widen your perspective and overcome such frustration.
Widening Your Comparison
When you solely focus on those who learn faster than you, it's easy to feel like you're at a disadvantage. However, this isn't the whole picture. Just as nobody is the slowest at every subject, nobody is the fastest. Start looking around and noticing how many people are slower than you. This can provide a more balanced view and help you recognize that you are unique in your own right.
We all learn at our own pace, and that pace can vary based on the subject and our interest in it. Learning something we enjoy tends to be easier and more enjoyable, whereas learning something we don't enjoy can be a struggle. Additionally, the feeling of ease or struggle can vastly differ when moving from a subject that isn't too difficult to one that feels like a perpetual challenge.
The tendency to focus on people who stand out for their abilities can make it harder to notice those who are quietly struggling. Avoiding this can lead to the misconception that everyone else is faster than you. However, this is never the case. Simply take a closer look and you'll find that there are people slower than you in every subject, even if the same person might be faster in another.
The Value of Your Unique Pace
It's important to remember that speed has nothing to do with the depth of your ability to learn. Your journey is unique, and everyone has their own pace. I, for instance, was very slow to learn to read, lagging behind my sister who excelled in all her classes. However, over time, I continued to read, write, and learn, while my sister is now in assisted living and unable to do much for herself, including reading or writing.
Just as the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare teaches us, it's about appreciating what you can do and continuing to move forward at your own pace. In this case, the tortoise's persistence and steady progress were far more valuable than the hare's initial burst of speed but eventual exhaustion. Similarly, your unique pace and progress are valuable, and they're worth celebrating.
Avoiding Comparison
One of the best ways to overcome the frustration of feeling like you're learning too slowly is to focus on your own progress rather than comparing yourself with others. Constant comparison is self-defeating; instead, use your strengths and set high standards for ethical treatment, professionalism, and high-quality work output.
Additionally, remember that others may have benefit from private tutors or expensive study programs, such as those for standardized tests like the SAT. So, rather than feeling like you're behind, use your unique journey and pace to your advantage. Celebrate your own progress and the skills you are cultivating at your own speed.