I've been in the Learning and Development industry for a decade. Well, in a professional capacity, that is. But if I'm being honest, I've been a student of this field my entire life. And so have you. The way we approach learning—whether it's diving into a new subject or honing an existing skill—is pivotal. Do you retreat at the first sign of failure? Do you expect instant success? How do you envision your learning journey? How much of your day is dedicated to study and practice?

At 19, I took a leap of faith and served a mission for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Brazil. With zero knowledge of the language, culture, or even the local cuisine, I embarked on this journey in August of 1998. My initial training was at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT, where I spent two months. A significant part of our training was language acquisition. Eager to communicate upon my arrival in Brazil, I took an instructor's advice to heart: spend an entire day speaking only in Portuguese. Armed with a dictionary and notebook, I took on this challenge amidst my group of ten fellow missionaries. It was daunting. Many in my group were hesitant to join in, and some even poked fun at my attempts. But through a cycle of failures and successes, I persevered. By the time I left Brazil, I was nearly fluent. While I might not claim fluency today, I still cherish those skills, allowing me to exchange pleasantries in Portuguese whenever the opportunity arises.

This experience taught me a universal truth about learning: if a challenge doesn't push you to the brink of failure, the lessons won't stick. Regardless of how many times you stumble, the key is to keep pushing forward. Analyze the reasons behind each failure, adjust your approach, and keep going until you succeed. When my eldest son was learning to drive, he feared failing his test. I reassured him that whether he passed on his first or tenth attempt, the end result was the same. After all, does the number of tries truly matter?

As you embark on your learning journey, remember:

  • Seek the "Why": Whether in success or failure, understanding the reasons behind outcomes will solidify your grasp on the subject.
  • Embrace Failure: Don't fear the "F" word. Your reaction to failure is what truly counts. When you stumble, seek the "why" and adjust your course.
  • Forget About Timelines: While there are times when speed is essential (like finishing a semester), don't let the pressure overshadow your progress.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Engage in deliberate practice. Set clear goals, measure your progress, and if possible, find a mentor to guide you.
  • Stay Humble: Learning thrives in humility. An inflated ego can hinder your growth.

For my part, I remain committed to this industry. I strive to be a lifelong learner, constantly reminding myself of these principles, and a dedicated teacher, eager to guide others on their learning paths. Stay tuned, as I'll be sharing posts to help you access foundational knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. Additionally, keep an eye out for a follow-up blog post where I'll delve deeper into the concept of deliberate practice.