Nothing has meaning except the meaning you give it - Believe you can succeed and you will
The importance of mindset when learning something NEW
I found myself somewhat triggered yesterday when offering a comment for a website and it was declined. My comment was rejected due to not understanding the topic properly. The subject was advanced level mathematics. I had always considered myself to be very good at maths, better than most of my peers and I also have a degree in Biosciences. My ego was triggered therefore at being told I didn't comprehend the subject matter of the blog.
Today I was reflecting on this and I realised that it was an opportunity for me to increase my self esteem by changing my mindset. When I was told that I didn't understand the maths equation yesterday I made it mean that I was of inferior intelligence to someone else and this made me feel stupid. When comparing this to my life experience I however I realised that this was simply not true.
Sure yes I can admit that yesterday I didn't understand what I was reading when I came across that blog about advanced level mathematics. However this was not due to inferior intelligence but lack of EXPERIENCE with the subject. There are many things in life that I don't know about, not because I am stupid but because I haven't LEARNED them yet.
Everything in life is a different language for you to learn
When I started my science degree for example biology was a subject that I knew NOTHING about. I also returned to school quite late in life, in my mid 30's. I couldn't imagine myself ever reaching a stage where I didn't feel overwhelmed and confused by the language of science.
Despite this I kept putting one foot in front of the other. Every day I would show up to lectures and lab classes. Pretty soon I found myself fascinated by a whole new world that opened up to me. The intricate workings of a nerve cell or DNA synthesis. I had previously had no idea that there were so many complicated processes that went on inside my body. Not to mention the fact that you could keep going smaller and smaller understanding the intricate workings of every single cell, all with different processes and functions, all unique.
A new world that opened up in the most unexpected of ways
What was even more fascinating to me was that this understanding of science intensified my love of God and all things spiritual. Previously I had seen these two topics as very different from each other, science versus God. My love of God and passion for the learning about the world of the spiritual was directly proportional to my new found understanding of biology.
I suddenly felt like a God, with a whole universe of cells inside of me, each with their own function and place. In understanding this I comprehended that it was the same with all of us too. We too were all cells in the body of God, each with his or her own function, place and a purpose. A body that requires all of its systems to be functioning correctly to survive. Or an orchestra of music that would not sound so good if it were missing one of its musicians.
We are all so much more connected to each other than we understand but we cannot see this because we cannot see the bigger picture that we are a part of. If we could be the biologist and study the whole then we could take a birds eye view.
However from our individual vantage points our understanding of each other is much more easily compared to that of the individual cell. The cell that is not able to understand that it is part of a greater whole. What is the cells understanding? Does it know for example that it is part of making up part of an organs tissue? Much less that it is a smaller part of the being that calls herself "Jacqueline"?
The thriving ecosystem that is Wealthy Affiliate
So how does all of this relate to starting an online business? It is something NEW. Like all things that are new it is a new language that takes time and practice to learn. Just because you don't understand something NOW doesn't mean that you are stupid or that you CAN'T. There are lots of things that you could learn if you put in the time and effort that it takes to practice.
No I don't understand advanced level mathematics right now, but that doesn't mean that I CAN'T. I COULD if I put in the time and effort required to learn. I believe that I am intelligent enough to try. Am I going to? No, because I don't need or want to. I don't have the proper MOTIVATION to do that.
There are many people here on Wealthy Affiliate with a range of different knowledge and skills. Each of us can bring something unique to the table and we can all utilise each other's skills to get ahead. It is kind of like the thriving ecosystem of your body where there are many people all playing different parts. I don't know about you but personally I think that is something that is pretty special and meaningful to be a part of!
Looking to the future and what lies ahead
What am I currently learning then? I am learning about affiliate marketing so that I can generate passive income. Why do I need to generate passive income? As in less than a month I will be moving with my husband to a region of Spain where no one speaks English! Spain is his country of origin and where he was brought up.
Not knowing the language, as well as being illegal, I will not be able to work a regular job until I can gain my residency in Spain and learn some Spanish. I know nothing about learning a language but I have faith that if I immerse myself into a world full of Spanish speakers then I will learn to speak it over time. I have to. My survival there depends upon it.
I have wanted to start up an affiliate marketing business for years here at Wealthy Affiliate. However I find it ironic that it is necessity that has finally pushed me to put in the time and effort required to learn to be fluent in the language of affiliate marketing. Previously I WANTED to do it but I wasn't motivated enough to LEARN. I believe that with the right motivation and effort I can and will make a success of it. What's more, I believe that you can too.
What motivates you to make a success of your online business here at Wealthy Affiliate? Why are you doing it? Let me know in the comments.
Jacqueline Swan
Recent Comments
18
Thank you very much Jacqueline. Your article has uplifted my desire and passion for succeeding with WA. Yes I am now open to learning and learning new everyday.
Thank you again.
Getting a website comment is almost a rite of passage at WA. lol. What is said for the rejection may not even be the real reason.
Personally I would like to see site comments reformatted to make it work better. But not for me to decide…..
Welcome to the club.
Steve
I doubt that there are many people here at WA that could have understood those equations honestly. Finding someone with that level of expertise might be a bit of a challenge.
I feel were kinda in the same boat, really need it but not motivated to do what it takes, until necessity sets in and you don`t care for the choices you are left with, so you get serious and buckle down and get to work. I`m one up on you though, I don`t have to learn spanish, but in the long run you got me beat, because you`ll be able to speak another language, which I would love to be able to do, but because the necessity is not there for me it`s not going to happen, Wishing you Success
Small actions every day can still lead to big progress over time. When I think about all of the years that I wasted when I could have been taking baby steps. That would have given me something to show for my efforts even small. Nonetheless here's to both of our success!
Jacqueline,
With practice, determination, persistence, and a desire to master the language you will make it happen. I wish you all the best.
Jerry
Hey, Jacqueline, this is so encouraging that I was thinking in the same way a few days ago. I missed nursery, preschool, primary, and secondary education levels due to war in my country since birth. But I love natural sciences as you describe them.
I also think God is not what religion taught us, but the source of everything as we are part of the whole universe. Yes, I was also trained as a medical person, and looking at those tiny little guys on a microscope makes me feel like there is more to learn.
Keep learning. Learn Spanish and keep sharing your journey. Learn affiliate marketing and let's know what happens. For, my motivation comes from the fact that I want to be free financially so I could travel whenever I want, visiting any part of the world, meet different people, taste different dishes I never have seen, and help others do the same.
I will surely work on this and achieve the goals, sooner or later.
John
Thanks for sharing your experience. We definitely all have our own challenges. All the best.
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Great motivational read Jacqueline and I love Spain!
As a language teacher, I believe the best way to learn a new language is to immerse yourself with the locals, listen to what they are saying and DON'T be afraid to make mistakes!!
I'm from England and have lived in Spain (twice), Brazil, Switzerland and now France...
I've picked up the languages by basically speaking to the natives!!
Not fluent of course... but I can get by quite well! :-)
Thanks yes my husband's friends and family speak Spanish as well as plenty of local cafes. I'm sure there will be opportunities for me to learn.
There certainly will be my friend! :-)
You can order beer in 4 languages..heheh...
Stevoi
I can order beer in about 50 languages buddy!!
👍🍻🍻🤣