When I’m first learning a reflex-based motor skill, I have a very long lag time of consciously identifying an opportunity, parsing out what the opportunity represents, doing a lookup to see what response is most appropriate, and then executing the response. The reaction lag is about as long as this sentence.
Later, I notice something, and immediately realize how I should respond. I execute the appropriate response.
Finally, I notice, I respond.
I do very, very badly at video games when I start thinking about what I should do, when I start strategizing, because I’m back to that VERY slow first mode of thinking. The key, for me, is to just stop thinking entirely. I do what my body wants to do, and afterwards I reflect on what it did wrong. If it’s getting one particular bit wrong, I practice that bit. If I’m still having trouble, I break it down in to smaller steps.
As a concrete example, I’ve been learning poi. Most moves are two handed. If I just try a move without any build up, I usually end up bludgeoning myself (I had people seriously concerned I was in an abusive relationship… oops.) What I found worked was to practice the motions slowly with just ONE hand, then learn to do it quicker. Then I’d switch hands. Finally I’d do the two hands together, but very slowly or without even having the actual poi in my hands. Finally I’d do the actual move itself.
Then, once I’d learned the move, I had to learn how to move while doing the new technique (stationary vs moving is very different for poi). Then I got to learn how to transition this move in to other moves I knew.
Only after I’d done ALL of that would I have a single new move added to my repertoire. It usually takes me a couple hours and a few mild bruises. I’ve also learned to wear a thick hoodie and goggles when doing any move that stands a chance of hitting my face.
Despite feeling like that description makes me out as very clumsy and uncoordinated, I’m totally comfortable with the idea of setting these things on fire and spinning them around my body, as long as I’m doing a technique I’ve practiced sufficiently.
The key, for me, was learning to break it down in to all of those little tiny steps. It also helped that I noticed my flinch reflex was getting in the way, so I wear goggles just because it makes me feel safe :)
it also helps me a lot to do this when no one can see me. I can get very self-conscious about learning new physical skills, and it translates in to all sorts of little hesitations—I get afraid of screwing up, so I pull myself short and fail in very boring ways, rather than in spectacular or “wow, that was stupid” ways. Giving myself a safe space to make truly stupid mistakes without getting flustered is very important! (And I emphasize safe: don’t put yourself in a space where you’re making stupid mistakes that unduly injure you—for example, I’m fine with a bit of bludgeoning, otherwise I’d wear more padding!)
Finally, if I’ve done something for even 5 minutes without making any progress, it’s time for me to stop, and break it down in to even SMALLER steps, no matter how absurd that might seem. I’ve spent an hour practicing a single tiny gesture because I couldn’t quite get the timing consistently.
When I’m first learning a reflex-based motor skill, I have a very long lag time of consciously identifying an opportunity, parsing out what the opportunity represents, doing a lookup to see what response is most appropriate, and then executing the response. The reaction lag is about as long as this sentence.
Later, I notice something, and immediately realize how I should respond. I execute the appropriate response.
Finally, I notice, I respond.
I do very, very badly at video games when I start thinking about what I should do, when I start strategizing, because I’m back to that VERY slow first mode of thinking. The key, for me, is to just stop thinking entirely. I do what my body wants to do, and afterwards I reflect on what it did wrong. If it’s getting one particular bit wrong, I practice that bit. If I’m still having trouble, I break it down in to smaller steps.
As a concrete example, I’ve been learning poi. Most moves are two handed. If I just try a move without any build up, I usually end up bludgeoning myself (I had people seriously concerned I was in an abusive relationship… oops.) What I found worked was to practice the motions slowly with just ONE hand, then learn to do it quicker. Then I’d switch hands. Finally I’d do the two hands together, but very slowly or without even having the actual poi in my hands. Finally I’d do the actual move itself.
Then, once I’d learned the move, I had to learn how to move while doing the new technique (stationary vs moving is very different for poi). Then I got to learn how to transition this move in to other moves I knew.
Only after I’d done ALL of that would I have a single new move added to my repertoire. It usually takes me a couple hours and a few mild bruises. I’ve also learned to wear a thick hoodie and goggles when doing any move that stands a chance of hitting my face.
Despite feeling like that description makes me out as very clumsy and uncoordinated, I’m totally comfortable with the idea of setting these things on fire and spinning them around my body, as long as I’m doing a technique I’ve practiced sufficiently.
The key, for me, was learning to break it down in to all of those little tiny steps. It also helped that I noticed my flinch reflex was getting in the way, so I wear goggles just because it makes me feel safe :)
it also helps me a lot to do this when no one can see me. I can get very self-conscious about learning new physical skills, and it translates in to all sorts of little hesitations—I get afraid of screwing up, so I pull myself short and fail in very boring ways, rather than in spectacular or “wow, that was stupid” ways. Giving myself a safe space to make truly stupid mistakes without getting flustered is very important! (And I emphasize safe: don’t put yourself in a space where you’re making stupid mistakes that unduly injure you—for example, I’m fine with a bit of bludgeoning, otherwise I’d wear more padding!)
Finally, if I’ve done something for even 5 minutes without making any progress, it’s time for me to stop, and break it down in to even SMALLER steps, no matter how absurd that might seem. I’ve spent an hour practicing a single tiny gesture because I couldn’t quite get the timing consistently.