When one starts learning a new skill, one is usually is excited because NEW! FUN! NEW FUN!
Then somewhere along the way, the New Fun wears off and one decides whether the new-ish skill could still be charming when it's not being fun and looks more like work and doesn't put on makeup every day.
When this turn happens, one is usually faced with The Learning Curve. The often wall-like climb with few footholds that looks more intimidating and character-building in the worst way than it looks like an enjoyable pastime.
Good times.
It can awful. But if you're feeling this way, you're probably stuck in one of the LITERALLY SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN STAGES OF LEARNING A PHYSICAL SKILL. But hold on to your science pants. I have another crappy graph for you.
Got your science pants on? Well, if one combines the Conscious Competence model (short answer: a delightful ladder of learning where one encounters Unconscious Incompetence, Conscious Incompetence, Conscious Competence, and glorious Unconscious Competence) and the Three Stages of Skill Acquisition (Cognitive [the introductory, awkward, foundation-laying stage], Associative [the refinement of basic skills], and Autonomous [a purification of skill heeding outside factors and decision-making to improve performance]), one discovers that "the path to greatness starts with sucking and spends an awful lot of time in mediocrity" [GMB].
Learning anything is a process, a scientifically broken down process. Do you remember learning your multiplication facts? OF COURSE YOU DON'T. Fortunately, I get to see that process every day. You start multiplication in first grade and by second grade you’re still doing the same fucking thing. And guess what? Third grade? SAME THING. By fourth grade, you kind of “know” most of the times tables, but hell if you get 100% on all your tests and don't count on your fingers sometimes. And now? You're still are a little sketchy on 6x7. STILL. 30 YEARS LATER.
If you think you're the only one languishing at a certain level or harrowing over the timing and foot rise of Foxtrot or tormented by the speed of your progress, YOU ARE NOT. The choice to continue the formidable challenge of upping your physical literacy is always up to you. But even from here, the rewards are pretty cool.
