Imagine having a job where you’re only given the chance to carry out your finite JD (job description) for years with no opportunity to explore new things, get exposed to new challenges, or take on new assignments! The reality is that your excitement and fulfilment on that job won’t last for long. Of course, you will build massive competence around your JD due to the time spent repeating the same things, but after which you will plateau. And soonest, dissatisfaction and depression will set in. Why? The mind starts to feel stale and redundant.
Following the 10,000-hour rule propounded by Malcolm Gladwell in his book titled Outliers, it becomes clear to us that skills are built through repetition. In fact, when companies want to hire experts, one of the things they look out for is the years of experience an individual has gained in a particular field. Pilots are often rated by how many hours they’ve flown, and lawyers are often rated by how many cases they’ve won.
All of these point to the fact that repetition is a key factor when it comes to building and communicating mastery in any field. However, let’s look at what grows the mind. Does repetition help the mind to grow? Let’s talk about it.
Science has helped us to understand, through the concept of neuroplasticity, that the mind can be stretched beyond its original elastic limit. And when this happens, a new limit is established. New neural connections are formed each time we get exposed to new experiences or start dwelling on a new line of thought. And when we soak in these things well enough, a new neural pathway is established. This is how the mind grows.
I remember the experiences I used to have with the keyboard/guitar. When you’re learning a new scale, chord, or chord progression, there’s always that initial struggle where your fingers are finding it difficult to hit the right notes with precision and accuracy. Sometimes, the struggle lasts for hours or even days. But with consistency, a day will come when you’ll suddenly realize your fingers have mastered the thing. What changed? A new neural pathway has been successfully formed. Sometimes, we call it muscle memory.
This is a vivid example of what happens each time we expose our minds to new things. And science has made us understand that we’re not only capable of change, but we’re actually wired for it. So, frequently exposing ourselves to new things is supposed to be our default.
My question to you at this point is, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” Really! When was the last time you took up something new and challenging? When was the last time you decided to become a beginner at something you’re not conversant with? You see, it’s more glamorous to be seen flaunting your dexterity in things you’re already familiar with. However, if that’s all you keep doing, you’ll never truly grow.
Real growth is in losing taste of things you’re already familiar with and pursuing new things that stretch your mind to attain newer limits. This is what helps you to transcend being just a skilled fellow to being a leader in that field. You don’t grow to lead others if all you bring to the table is a vocational or technical skill. What validates your leadership and guarantees your success in that position is the level of exposure your mind has gained.
As we approach 2025, I need you to make a strong decision that 2025 won’t leave you at the level of exposure and mental growth it met you. Intentionally go for that adventure, for in it is the attainment of your highest potential.
“Repetition builds your skills, but adventure grows your mind.” – Simeon Taiwo
I remain your BrandCore Strategist.
