Because you are already interested in my writings, I want to talk about a concept that has immensely benefited myself in the last 3 years since I have heard of it and completely changed my way of looking at difficult times. I am sure you will benefit from it as well. Now look at the picture…
In everything you do, from this day onwards, know that there are 5 stages to learning everything.
For example, you want to learn how to make a cake.
Stage 1: Uninformed Optimism. You are uninformed, and you feel optimistic about it. I can do this! Its just a cake, you know, I can just mix the things in a big bowl, and then put it into this newly bought oven, and its all good! Its easy, I can do this, I will be making nice cakes in no time.
Stage 2: Informed Pessimism. You started to learn about this cake baking thing, and figured that it was not as easy as you originally thought it would be. Welcome to informed pessimism. You are no longer that excited about learning this new cake baking thing because it is getting difficult.
Stage 3: Valley of Despair. This is the hardest stage. You feel so despair and you feel like you have no hope. The thing is so hard. You might start to form impression that you cannot do this. It is just too hard… Why not return to my comfort zone? It is tempting to stop and give up.
Most people stopped at Stage 3 and returned to their comfortable lives. After a while, they might find another thing and get back to Stage 1, and if they are mistaken, they would be repeating Stage 1-3 most of the time in life.
Stage 4: Informed Optimism. You pushed through the hardest time. You start to make progress. You started to actually acquire the skills and techniques. You are entering into a stage of Informed Optimism. You started to see the “light at the end of the tunnel”. It is indeed a great place to be in. To me, I think it is the best place to be in, even better than Stage 5.
Stage 5: Success & Fulfilment. You’ve got it! You’ve reached the end goal. You baked the cake you’ve always wanted, after all these work. Success & Fulfilment.
These 5 stages apply to everything.
If you are in Stage 3 right now, I understand. I am here right now as well. It is hard. But I believe we can do this.
Let’s keep going.
Ryan