I've been able to juggle three balls since middle school.
Add a fourth ball, and I have all the coordination of a sleep-deprived kindergartner. This has been the on-and-off struggle for decades.
But I've taken up the challenge again (videos coming soon).
This is part of a "complex movement skills" challenge I'm doing with a group of other entrepreneurs. It's really cool. And everyone should try it at least once.
The challenge is simple (yet complex...see what I did there...? Har har...)
Over the course of 30 days, learn a skill that requires complex movements. I've selected four-ball juggling. But, other eligible skills include stuff like:
- dancing
- martial arts
- whirling a bow staff
- handstands
- cartwheels
- breakdancing
- anything that requires learning to use your body in a new, coordinated way
Just a few days in, I'm noticing the benefits. Aside from the obvious ones, like physical activity and not spending the time watching prodigy accordionists on YouTube.
It's a reminder of the process of learning something new. Something I've come to appreciate more and more as an educator, and get to apply to a new space.
It's a reminder of how, even when it feels frustrating one day, it always feels better the next day.
It's a reminder of how important trusting yourself is. That's one of those terms you hear a lot - trust yourself - but nobody quite explains it beyond that.
In this case, it's trusting yourself that even though today sucked and you have to stop, you'll keep at it tomorrow and it'll be better. Tomorrow you has it covered.
And, it's a reminder of how learning works. There are lots of dumb ways to learn to juggle four balls. And there are more logical, step-by-step ways you can learn to juggle four balls.
Just like piano, you can't just give someone a set of instructions and expect them to be able to juggle that day. Or even that week.
But learning to enjoy a skill that grows over time, with all of its ups and downs. That stuff is priceless.
