EXPERIMENT: Mastery Through Limits
Another experiment for you to try at home.
We've already explored how limits, when used cleverly, can aid our creativity and help us approach our craft from a different perspective. We've also spoken about using limits as a vehicle to explore our unlimited potential. But don't take our word for it — put it to the test.
Think about something you really want to make part of your life. Perhaps you've always wanted to learn how to play the piano, or speak German, or bake bread, or dance the tango. Perhaps it's something that you never feel you have the time for, or perhaps the thought of learning something new from scratch is too daunting. Whatever your reasons for not starting, let your desire for that skill, knowledge or experience be greater than your excuses. And support that desire with the help of a little healthy limitation.
The idea for this experiment came from my own practice of using a Pomodoro timer to help me get work done. (I use an app called Forest — it's brilliant!) Having a definite and achievable end in mind for whatever task I'm doing makes it feel more manageable and gives me more motivation to see it through. Also, I'm rewarded with the satisfaction of having gotten a solid chunk of focused work done by the end of it. So, how do we apply this principle to mastering something new?
First of all, choose something to work with. It could be a skill you want to learn, a hobby you want to take up, a habit you want to build, anything at all. If it's something you've been putting off because it seems too difficult/too time-consuming/too much of a commitment/too intimidating, then that’s even better — we're about to overcome those limits with better ones. If nothing comes to mind, choose something from the examples given earlier, or from the suggestions below.
SKILLS
Learn to play an instrument.
Learn to code.
Learn to cook.
Learn to bake.
Learn to skateboard.
Learn to draw.
Learn to crochet.
Learn to juggle.
Learn to spin a pen.
Learn to do a handstand.
Learn to speed read.
Learn to slow down.
Learn to fold clothes Konmari style.
Learn the Heimlich manoeuvre.
Learn to solve a Rubik's cube.
Learn sign language.
KNOWLEDGE
Study medicine, for the heck of it.
Study law, for the heck of it.
Study geography.
Study geology.
Study archaeology.
Study paleontology.
Study an unfamiliar religion.
Study a foreign language.
Study your mother tongue.
Study local history.
Study world history.
Study the theory of evolution.
Study Vedic math techniques.
Study astronomy.
Study astrology.
HABITS & LIFESTYLE
Cut down on screentime.
Get enough sunlight.
Spend more time with loved ones.
Practise being kinder/more patient.
Start journalling.
Develop a spiritual practice.
Walk 10,000 steps a day.
Establish a morning routine.
Build and maintain a consistent exercise routine.
Read something everyday.
Meditate every morning.
Go vegan/vegetarian.
Eat more fruit.
Drink more water.
Take up a sport.
Get enough sleep every night.
Cut down on sugar.
Now, put a limit on how much you want to achieve within those things. Not for life, just for now. If you want to learn to bake, choose just one simple cake recipe to master. If you want to learn a new language, master the handful of phrases you need to comfortably order food in a restaurant, and no more. If you want to build a consistent exercise routine, limit yourself to 30 minutes, three times a week. You get the idea.
Now that you've significantly narrowed your focus, immerse yourself in achieving those simple goals. Practise them until they feel almost too easy. When your limits start to feel too small, you'll know you've grown, and you can try new ones on for size. Maybe you can learn how to make and decorate a layered cake, or carry on a conversation with your waiter about how his family is doing, or try working out for longer and more frequently.
The point of intentionally limiting yourself and your progress is to ensure that you don't become overwhelmed too early in the process. As your basic skills and confidence grow, you can push those limits further and further. Soon enough, you'll be baking soufflés, writing novels in your third language and competing in triathlons. Or maybe not — maybe what makes you happiest is baking cookies for your family, watching movies in a foreign language without subtitles and feeling stronger in your day-to-day life. Whatever your ultimate goals are, don't limit yourself by deciding that they're too lofty to achieve, or that you don't have time for them.
We would love to see how you use limits to explore your full potential. If you try this experiment or any of the others in this issue, share your progress and results with us on Instagram — tag us @brazen.mag and use the hashtag #brazenexperiments so we can find you, and share what you're up to with the rest of our community. We look forward to being inspired by you!
